An extension of the current farm bill could be agreed upon this week, meaning a new one will not be in place until, at the earliest, late next year.
Mike Johnson, Speaker of the House, introduced a continuing resolution (CR) this weekend to address the budget uncertainty and avoid a looming government shutdown. Included was the provision to extend the 2018 farm bill to Sept. 30, 2024.
The four leaders of the House and Senate Agriculture Committees, including Rep. G.T. Thompson (R-PA-15), Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), Sen. John Boozman (R-Ark.) and Rep. David Scott (D-GA-13), released the following statement on a farm bill extension:
“As negotiations on funding the government progress, we were able to come together to avoid a lapse in funding for critical agricultural programs and provide certainty to producers. This extension is in no way a substitute for passing a 5-year Farm Bill, and we remain committed to working together to get it done next year.”
Congress will consider the CR this week.
The farm bill is a piece of legislation that is renewed every five years. President Trump signed the current farm bill into law on Dec. 20, 2018.