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Dairy leader says Freedom Caucus wants vote on immigration bill before farm bill

A dairy leader says Friday’s House farm bill vote failed because the Freedom Caucus wants immigration dealt with first.

American Dairy Coalition CEO Laurie Fischer says House Speaker Paul Ryan promised the Republican Freedom Caucus a vote on Bob Goodlatte’s Securing America’s Future Act which includes his Ag Act.  She says the Goodlatte bill would create a new guest worker visa that agriculture needs.

House Freedom Caucus Chairman Mark Meadows told ADC officials his caucus will not support the farm bill until after a vote is held on immigration. That means Agriculture Chairman Mike Conaway doesn’t have the votes to pass the House farm bill legislation since no Democrats will support it.

Fischer says the ADC is still encouraging members to contact Congress members to support the Goodlatte bill.