The House passed H.R. 2, the Agriculture and Nutrition Act of 2018, on June 21^st. The bill passed by a narrow margin of 213-211, with every Democrat and 20 Republicans voting against the bill.

House Agriculture Committee Chairman K. Michael Conaway (R-TX) issued the following statement: “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. 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 handout, 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.”

On Monday, the Senate voted 89-3 on a procedural motion to set up the process to begin debate on the farm bill. Senators also began filing amendments, including a proposal by Senator Grassley (R-IA) to tighten commodity program payment rules, an amendment by Senators Lee (R-UT) and Booker (D-NJ) that would place restrictions on research and promotion programs, and an amendment by Senator Durbin (D-IL) that would impose a means test on crop insurance premium subsidies. UEP’s D.C. team is working to defeat the Booker and Lee amendment and has asked UEP members to contact their Senators in opposition.  The Senate begins debate on the 2018 farm bill on Tuesday and should be finished by the Fourth of July recess.