(WASHINGTON D.C.) — House Republicans came together to pass their reconciliation megabill in the early hours of Thursday morning, after weeks of division and holdouts from hardline Republicans. The “One Big, Beautiful Bill” was able to pass on a 215-214 final vote.
House Agriculture Committee Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson (PA-15) issued the following statement after the House passed H.R. 1, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act saying “The One Big Beautiful Bill Act delivers on the mandate voters gave President Trump and Republicans by stopping tax hikes, reigning in spending, investing in rural America, and restoring integrity to programs like SNAP, and I look forward to working with the Senate to get it to the President’s desk.”
The legislation now moves to the Senate, where Politico reports that Republicans there are expected to tear up many of the policy provisions sought by House GOP hardliners.
Senate Ag Chair John Boozman says fellow Republican Chuck Grassley may be right in taking issue with the House farm bill budget reforms to the SNAP food stamp program. Grassley argues it’s “unreasonable” for the House to shift more SNAP costs to small states as well as the large states that are more able to foot the bill.
Boozman talked about that concern saying “I think that’s a very reasonable concern. So, what we’re doing is looking at what the House did. We’re talking to the states about how that’s going to affect them. We’re talking to USDA about how they think it’s going to affect the states.”
A key to watch on the Senate side is whether or not some of the Farm Bill provisions that have been widely talked about in the House Ag portion of the reconciliation bill make it through the Senate process. Those include the bill’s hike in reference prices of 10-to-20 percent, a boost to crop insurance, ARC, increases in Title I payment limits, updates of base acres, and stronger animal disease efforts. And, eyes will be on what happens to the SNAP reforms as well as the process now moves to the Senate.
In terms of the House agriculture portion of the reconciliation bill, it has been met with a large amount of support from agriculture groups from many sectors. Ahead of its passage this week, the House Agriculture Committee shared a multitude of statements in support of the legislation.
“On behalf of the Agricultural Retailers Association (ARA), I write to express our strong support for H. Con. Res. 14, the House Budget Reconciliation Bill—an essential step toward securing economic stability and growth for rural America, the agricultural sector, and the broader U.S. economy. This comprehensive package includes vital provisions that align with the needs of American farmers, ranchers, and ag retailers,” said Daren Coppock, President and CEO, Agricultural Retailers Association.
“As the House Agriculture Committee continues its markup of the reconciliation package, I want to commend Chairman Thompson for including key farm bill provisions. Updating reference prices and commodity title payments to reflect today’s economic realities is critical. America’s farmers cannot endure another year of uncertainty following the expiration of the last farm bill. Additionally, the proposal to double funding for market development programs is a timely and necessary step to expand export opportunities amid continued trade volatility,”said Chuck Conner, President, National Council of Farmer Cooperatives.
“America’s pork producers recognize and greatly appreciate the tireless efforts by congressional champions of farming and agriculture, especially Agriculture Committee Chairman G.T. Thompson, in securing as many pork industry priorities as possible in the House’s proposed reconciliation package. However, it is just as critical – if not more – that the committee keeps its promise to take action on a solution to the many problems triggered by California Proposition 12. We expect that members of both parties will continue to find the path to deliver the certainty and stability farmers need. Whether in the Farm Bill, or in other legislative provisions, we stand ready and willing to help the Congress deliver this needed, bipartisan solution,” said Duane Stateler, President, National Pork Producers Council.
“Chairman GT Thompson’s House ag reconciliation bill contains key wins for America’s cattle farmers and ranchers. From boosting disaster recovery programs to strengthening foreign animal disease detection and prevention, this bill protects America’s livestock producers. Cattle producers continue to face emerging animal health threats but have not received the financial resources necessary to mitigate these threats in previous emergency legislative packages. The need for these investments is crucial. NCBA urges all House Agriculture Committee members to swiftly pass this bill,” said Tanner Beymer, Executive Director of Government Affairs, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association.
Read more of the comments from industry stakeholders here: https://agriculture.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=7915
SOURCES: NAFB News Service, Matt Kaye/Berns Bureau, Politico, House Ag Republicans Press Release
