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Ag groups urge Congress to find middle ground as farm bill fails
Commodity groups are urging House leadership to quickly identify middle-ground on SNAP and immigration proposals that derailed the farm bill Friday.
No Democrats voted for the bill as that party remains opposed to eligibility requirements in the nutrition program sought by Republicans.
Additionally, 30 members of the Republican Freedom Caucus voted against the farm bill as the group tries to leverage support for Representative Bob Goodlatte’s immigration bill.
National Corn Growers Association president Kevin Skunes says despite the partisan politics, NCGA remains positive.
“If they get something going by the end of the year, we’re working hard (to accomplish that). We’re helping our Congressmen with anything they want, if they call us for any figures or studies that we do. We’re just willing to help, we want to help and get this across the finish line.”
The North Dakota farmer says with current economics, it’s very important to have a strong safety net.
Dustin Baker with the National Pork Producers Council calls the House vote a setback.
“But we’re hopeful to continue working together with the rest of the barnyard here in Washington, D.C. and those up on Capitol Hill in order to have a positive outcome. Because the bottom-line is it’s the right thing to do to help provide certainty to our producers.”
He tells Brownfield NPPC is confident funding for an FMD vaccine bank will remain in future iterations of the House farm bill.
American Soybean Association president and Iowa farmer John Heisdorffer expressed deep disappointment, saying the farm bill is a vital piece of legislation that all of agriculture depends on.
Oklahoma farmer and National Association of Wheat Growers president Jimmie Musick says Congress needs to enact a farm bill before the current one expires to give farmers long-term certainty.
House speaker Paul Ryan’s motion to reconsider was suspended, and another vote could be coming.
Kevin Skunes audio:
Dustin Baker audio:
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