This week, Senate Agriculture Committee Chair John Boozman (R-AR) stated that he expects to mark up the Senate Farm Bill by August 6, in an effort to advance it before the August recess. However, the timing remains uncertain. Senator Mitch McConnell’s (R-KY) absence has narrowed the GOP’s committee margin, and Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) expressed doubt that a markup would occur before the recess given disagreements with Democrats.
A central point of disagreement involves the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. Committee Democrats are seeking a two-year delay in implementing SNAP cost shifts enacted under the One Big Beautiful Bill last year. Several Democratic members said that reversing the SNAP cuts would be an early priority if the party wins House control in the November midterms, along with rebuilding the bipartisan coalition that has historically supported the farm bill. Democrats also cited farm losses, rural development, and rural hospitals as areas of focus.
For more information, contact RCRC Vice President of Government Affairs, Mary-Ann Warmerdam.