On Tuesday, June 11, Republicans on the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, released their priorities and framework for the next farm bill. This moves the committee one step closer to consideration of the five-year food and farm legislation. The ranking Republican Member, John Boozman (R-Arkansas), said this framework meets the call to put more farm in the farm bill. An overview of the framework and title by title highlights are available here.
The framework focuses on modernizing the farm safety net; facilitating the expansion of access to overseas markets; fostering breakthroughs in agricultural research; investing in rural communities; increasing investment in conservation; and maintaining base level funding for nutrition programs.
The framework includes similar priorities as those set out by House Republicans, further solidifying the opposing stances of Republicans and Democrats on hot-button issues, including nutrition benefits and climate change. With a diminishing number of weeks in session before the November elections and minimal compromise so far, the prospect of another farm bill extension seems likely.