The Farm Bill is moving forward in the Senate, albeit slowly. In a conference call with reporters this morning, Senate Agriculture Committee Chair Debbie Stabenow (R-MI) said she is confident they will get the Farm Bill done. It is rumored that the very high number of amendments filed presents concerns for the bill, but Stabenow dismissed those concerns, pointing out that more than 100 amendments were filed in committee, with the number down to 44 after working out agreements. 

Earlier today, the Senate voted to table one amendment that would have repealed the U.S. sugar program. The amendment, sponsored by Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), was tabled by a vote of 50 to 46, a close margin that indicates increasing legislative support for sugar policy reform. IDFA supports repeal or reform of the U.S. sugar program.

House Agriculture Committee Chair Frank Lucas (R-OK) is closely watching the progress that the Senate is making on the Farm Bill. The committee is expected to begin marking up its version of the Farm Bill soon, perhaps as early as next week.

IDFA supports a compromise producer safety net that is not tied to a supply management program in the new Farm Bill. Members are encouraged to continue their efforts to reach out to Congress with this message and to come to Washington for our fly-in next week.

For more information, contact Jerry Slominski, IDFA senior vice president of legislative and economic affairs, at jslominski@idfa.org.