House Agriculture Committee Chairman Frank Lucas (R-OK) announced plans to mark up the farm bill on May 15 despite pressure from the Republican leadership to take more time to consider tougher changes in the food stamp program. Lucas told the Capitol Hill newspaper Politico that he was prepared to hold listening sessions first with the Republican whip’s office over the next month but wants to keep to his schedule and produce a bipartisan bill together with his ranking Democrat Rep. Collin Peterson (D-MN).
Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-VA) is said to be worried about the ability to win over conservative support for any farm bill and in particular a bill that does not consider tougher work requirements for food stamp beneficiaries. This situation is reminiscent of last summer when Cantor advised Lucas to delay marking up the five-year bill because of the food stamp requirements and dairy policy.
Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), has said she wants to hold a markup before the Senate leaves for a recess at the end of next week but that deadline has slipped, and Chairman Stabenow said a hearing will be held when Congress returns from the Constituent Work week May 6.
