The Senate Committee on Agriculture plans to release their 2018 farm bill text today, with markup slated for Wednesday, June 13. Senate Majority Leader McConnell has said the full Senate plans to take up the bill before the July 4 recess.
Unlike the House Farm Bill, which was drafted entirely by Republican Members after Democrats refused to take part in the process due to disagreements over proposed SNAP changes, the Senate draft is a reportedly a bipartisan product. Both Chairman Pat Roberts (R-KS) and ranking member Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) vowed to draft a bill that both Democrats and Republicans can support and they continue to present a unified front.
One of the last details to be hashed out is whether or not language will be included to tighten the definition of what it means to be “actively engaged” in farming, placing restrictions on farmers receiving subsidy payments from USDA. The bill is not expected to make major changes to food assistance under SNAP, however changes regarding SNAP integrity, fraud and the program’s administration might be addressed in the bill.
Leader McConnell also added more time for deliberations on the floor when he announced this week that the Senate has cancelled the traditional month-long August recess.
