2018 Farm Bill narrowly passes through the House
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By AGDAILY Reporters Published: June 21, 2018
The 2018 Farm Bill has made its way through the House in a 213-2111 vote. Today, the House passed the Agriculture and Nutrition Act of 2018 (H.R. 2), critical legislation to address the economic challenges facing the nation’s farmers and ranchers, while making significant investments in opportunities for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients.
“Today’s vote was about keeping faith with the men and women of rural America and about the enduring promise of the dignity of a day’s work,” House Agriculture Committee Chairman K. Michael Conaway (TX-11). “It was about providing certainty to farmers and ranchers who have been struggling under the weight of a five-year recession and about providing our neighbors in need with more than just a hand out, but a hand up. I’m proud of what this body has accomplished, and now look forward to working with the Senate and the president to deliver a farm bill on time to the American people.”
The National Corn Growers Association commended the House passage of the Agriculture and Nutrition Act of 2018 (H.R. 2).
“Today’s vote is a big step forward to seeing a new farm bill this year. The House farm bill maintains a robust crop insurance program, ensuring it continues to be a viable risk management tool for farmers across the country,” North Dakota farmer and NCGA President Kevin Skunes said. “Now we will be looking toward the U.S. Senate and possible efforts to further strengthen the farm safety net, making it more equitable for our nation’s corn growers, as they bring the Senate Agriculture Committee’s farm bill to the floor.”
American Farmland Trust, the organization behind the national movement No Farms No Food, sees the passage of the House Farm Bill as an important milestone for farmland and ranchland protection and a vital step in the passage of a timely 2018 Farm Bill. The Farm Bill provides essential funding for the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP), along with other important conservation programs and beginning farmer programs.
“The Farm Bill gives us a chance to stem the loss,” said John Piotti, president and CEO of AFT. “Restoring funding to ACEP at $500 million annually — as it was in 2017 — is an essential first step. The House version of the Farm Bill does that and AFT urges that this level of funding be established in the final bill.”
The National Association of Wheat Growers was also pleased to see the passage of the bill today.
“NAWG commends the House of Representatives for working to move the Farm Bill forward and passed out of the Chamber. It’s vital for a final Farm Bill to be reauthorized before the September 30th deadline, so that farmers can have access to these beneficial programs,” NAWG President Jimmie Musick said. “Crop insurance is a unique risk management tool available for farmers and ranchers. NAWG continues to advocate for a strong crop insurance program and continued choice between ARC and PLC in the final version of the bill. “
Source: https://www.agdaily.com/news/2018-farm-bill-house/