Congress is set to return from recess on September 2nd, giving lawmakers just four weeks to avert a government shutdown and reauthorize the Farm Bill before the September 30th deadline. This is alongside growing pressure to reauthorize the Secure Rural Schools Act, either within the Farm Bill or as a standalone measure.
House Agriculture Chair GT Thompson has floated a “skinny” Farm Bill to extend programs excluded from reconciliation. However, the path forward faces obstacles. Ranking Member Angie Craig has argued that the ~$300B in SNAP cuts included in H.R. 1 have undermined the bipartisan coalition, while fiscal hawk House Republicans are expected to oppose additional measures without offsets.
With continued uncertainty surrounding the Farm Bill’s reauthorization, bipartisan support for SRS reauthorization as a standalone measure is gaining momentum. In June, the Senate passed S. 356 through unanimous consent while Representative Doug LaMalfa’s companion bill H.R. 1383 has drawn 74 House cosponsors. However, uncertainty remains over whether Republicans can secure the budgetary offsets House leadership requires, with members looking at repurposing unobligated Inflation Reduction Act funds and at pursuing a PAYGO waiver.
Meanwhile, GOP earmark disputes and differing House-Senate spending levels are complicating appropriations negotiations, potentially leading Congress toward a hybrid approach: passing individual bills for certain areas while using a continuing resolution to fund the remainder.
Both chambers have advanced bills through committee that include RCRC priorities. While the House Agriculture Appropriations bill includes language closing the intoxicating hemp loophole, the Senate Interior Appropriations bill provides full PILT funding and includes Endangered Species Act reforms, among others. However, outstanding disagreements between the House and Senate’s versions of the bills, coupled with the Senate’s 60-vote cloture make it uncertain which appropriations bills, if any, will pass both chambers.
For more information, contact RCRC Senior Vice President of Government Affairs, Mary-Ann Warmerdam.