This week, House Agriculture Chairman Mike Conaway (R-Texas) was whipping votes for the 2018 Farm Bill, however, the legislation’s future remains in doubt. Democrats continue to withhold their support, which means the bill must pass with only Republican votes.
Historically, Farm Bill programs are deeply unpopular within the conservative wing of the Republican party but Freedom Caucus Chairman Mark Meadows (R-North Carolina) claims conservative members could warm up to the bill if Conaway tightens commodity programs and strengthens work requirements for food stamps. Conaway is expected to bring the bill to the floor next week but the vote count will come down to the wire.