The House of Representatives is scheduled to be in session today through Friday but, after this week, members of the House will not return until after the November 6 elections. With activity on the new Farm Bill still stalled, legislators are looking at sending an extension of the current bill to the Senate. IDFA believes the outlook for even a short-term extension this week is unclear.

"Prospects for passing a five-year farm bill are highly unlikely this week, and we look for the bill to be considered in the lame-duck session," said Jerry Slominski, IDFA senior vice president of legislative and economic affairs. "If the bill doesn't move, Congress will be forced to pass some kind of extension no later than January 1."

Depending on the process chosen by the House Speaker, IDFA remains hopeful that the Goodlatte-Scott amendment, which would provide margin insurance without supply management, will be considered during floor debate when the House returns in mid-November.  

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For more information, contact Slominski at jslominski@idfa.org.