By Scout Nelson
The U.S. farm bill negotiations have hit a roadblock as Republicans in the House Agriculture Committee have pushed forward a version, known as the One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB). However, the deep cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) have made it harder to gain Democratic support. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) expressed optimism at Farmfest, saying that bipartisan support for the bill is still possible, but challenges remain.
House Agriculture Committee Chair, Rep. GT Thompson (R-Pa.), is aiming for a legislative text to be released in September. However, with so many priorities on Capitol Hill, including government funding and other key legislative issues, the timeline for completing the farm bill is uncertain. Many experts, including Senator Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), predict the bill may not be completed until 2026, as negotiations continue into next year.
The tension between Democrats and Republicans over the SNAP cuts, which amount to a $186 billion reduction over 10 years, complicates bipartisan negotiations. Representative Angie Craig (D-Minn.) noted that the size of these cuts could hinder full Democratic support for the "skinny farm bill" moving forward.
Among the issues still under discussion for the farm bill are controversial provisions on industrial hemp, pesticide lawsuits, and California's Proposition 12 regulations on sow housing. Other important priorities include the reauthorization of the Conservation Reserve Program, rural broadband assistance, and modifications to SNAP eligibility, particularly for families with young adults in school.
While a full-scale farm bill may be delayed, legislative leaders are focusing on what they can address quickly in the "skinny farm bill." However, the deep cuts to SNAP and other contentious issues suggest that the final bill may not be ready until 2026, at the earliest.
Categories: Minnesota, Government & Policy