Democrats are proposing to strengthen the farm safety net while meeting Republicans on some spending demands. But climate and food assistance remain major sticking points.
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Senate Unveils Five-Year Farm Bill Draft Amid Legislative Deadlock
The Senate Agriculture Committee has released its full draft of the five-year farm bill, seeking to resolve ongoing gridlock ahead of looming deadlines for key agricultural safety net programs. This development represents a critical effort to pass the comprehensive legislation before the current farm bill expires and agricultural policies revert to outdated Depression-era laws.
Key Highlights of the Senate Draft
Strengthening Farm Safety Nets
Proposes a $20 billion boost to Price Loss Coverage (PLC) and Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) programs, which provide crucial financial protections to farmers.
Funding for these increases would come from a five-year restriction on the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC), a compromise aligning partially with Republican proposals.
Maintaining Core Democratic Priorities
Climate-Smart Agriculture: Funding guardrails for environmental initiatives remain intact, signaling Democrats’ commitment to sustainability.
Food Assistance Programs: Ensures that Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits continue to adjust with rising costs, rejecting GOP calls to freeze these increases.
Balancing Partisan Demands
The five-year restriction on CCC funding is a shorter term than the 10-year freeze proposed in the House Republican draft, reflecting a moderate stance aimed at fostering bipartisan support.
The Political Divide
Democrats’ Push: Agriculture Committee Chair Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) called on Republicans to support the draft, arguing that the Senate proposal represents the best chance for bipartisan action this year.
“This is the best and probably only path to pass a five-year farm bill this year,” she said.
Republican Criticism: Ranking member John Boozman (R-AR) criticized the timing and process, labeling the draft as an “11th hour partisan proposal.” He noted that releasing the text over a year after the previous farm bill’s expiration is insufficient for addressing farmers’ needs.
Urgency and Challenges
With only three legislative weeks remaining in 2024, lawmakers face significant pressure to act. If the bill fails to pass, agricultural policies would revert to outdated laws, risking:
Increased food prices.
Disruptions to farmer operations.
Expiration of safety net programs vital to the agricultural economy.
The Senate draft’s timing and compromises will test Congress’s ability to build a bipartisan coalition in a deeply divided political climate.
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