House Passes Farm Bill

The House narrowly passed its version of the farm bill today on its second try as Republican leadership managed to round up just enough support from hard-line conservatives to carry the bill across the finish line.

Politicoreports the sweeping farm and nutrition policy legislation passed by a vote of 213-211.

“As crafted by Chairman Conaway, this bill recognizes what is working well, but it also makes much-needed improvements in risk management and crop insurance programs at a time when farm-income levels have slumped to decade lows," says Zippy Duval, president of the American Farm Bureau Federation. "This would not have been possible had it not been for Speaker Ryan making the farm bill a congressional priority, and for all the hard work invested in the process by Chairman Conaway and other members of the House Agriculture Committee."

The Senate is expected to vote as soon as next week on its bipartisan farm bill.

“NAWG commends the House of Representatives for working to move the Farm Bill forward and passed out of the Chamber," says Jimmie Musick, president of the National Association of Wheat Growers. "It’s vital for a final Farm Bill to be reauthorized before the September 30 deadline."