It should come as no surprise that since farm-state lawmakers have not been able in two years to reach agreement on a new farm bill to replace the 2018 version that they are again at another stalemate, this time over market relief assistance for farmers. Talks hit an all-too-familiar roadblock Saturday when Democratic leaders rejected the latest Republican proposal.
The issue: Democrats insist the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA/Climate Act) funding be integrated into the farm bill to permanently boost conservation spending. But GOP House conservatives do not agree.
Blame game begins, or just seeking leverage? House Ag Committee Chair GT Thompson (R-Pa.) and Sen. John Boozman (R-Ark.), ranking on the Senate Ag panel, criticized Democrats (link) for neglecting rural needs and announced their opposition to any package lacking robust farmer assistance.
Democrats criticized the GOP over farm bill extension stalemate. House Ag Committee Ranking Member David Scott (D-Ga.) and Senate Ag Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) issued a statement (link) condemning Republican Leadership for rejecting a $10 billion farm bill extension proposal. They said the Democrats’ plan aimed to provide economic aid and bolster conservation programs without diverting funds from disaster relief. They warned that the GOP’s counteroffer falls short, jeopardizing farmers’ livelihoods and risking widespread foreclosures.
Democrats proposed $10 billion in market relief but tied to IRA funding. GOP leaders objected to including IRA funds and preserving climate-related conditions. Republican leaders offered the Dems a $12 billion package (but House and Senate GOP Ag leaders wanted $15 billion).
House Majority Leader Steve Scalise’s (R-La.) floor schedule for this coming week includes a “supplemental pay-for” bill, alongside consideration of the fiscal year (FY) 2025 continuing resolution (CR). The House Freedom Caucus (who bill themselves as the most conservative faction in the chamber) has been demanding offsets for the disaster aid piece of the CR, which could end up close to $100 billion.
Scalise said a one-year extension of the 2018 Farm Bill is currently in the CR package. But as noted, it’s not clear if that will be a straight extension without any policy changes, like last year, or if negotiators are able to reach a breakthrough on using conservation funds provided by the 2022 IRA/Climate Act.
Release of the CR package expected on Sunday (Dec. 15) would set up a Wednesday floor vote in the House, possibly under suspension. Then onto the Senate.
Now what? If the farmer relief stalemate lingers, it looks like Congress would again do a “simple” one-year extension of the 2018 Farm Bill. While farmer relief is needed now, another perhaps better chance could take place in a new Congress when Republicans control both chambers. However, the GOP majority in the House will be razor thin, so the House Freedom Caucus could present further roadblocks, as they are this week in insisting on budget offsets for disaster aid.
The stakes are high for farmers and rural communities. As one agricultural lobbyist starkly put it: “I think there will be suicides if this is not fixed. I think Members are demanding that this be fixed.”
Bottom line: The push for farmer aid could still occur as history suggests last-minute compromises are still possible, even with this Congress.