Grassley says Farm Bill proposal falls short of expectations

WASHINGTON — Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley says the farm bill introduced by Senate Agriculture Committee chair Debbie Stabenow on Monday falls short of expectations.

The 2018 Farm Bill expired last year and a one-year extension was not renewed when it expired on September 30th. Grassley says the timing of introducing this bill is disappointing and unrealistic.  “It’s a sad commentary that Senate Democrats kept farmers waiting two years before even releasing a bill text. While producers waited, grain prices fell below the cost of production, and even with an increase of 15-cents in the price of corn yesterday, it’s still not above the cost of production. Input costs for seed, fertilizer, chemicals and diesel have shot up tremendously since 2018.”

Grassley says the Farm Bill must not be rushed through and needs to be worked out in a bipartisan fashion, and with only weeks left before this session of Congress ends, he anticipates another extension being passed.  “It’s clear there’s not enough time to do that before the year is up. After this week, we only have three weeks before Christmas (recess), so I expect Congress to pass another short-term extension carrying farmers through the new year, and when Congress returns in 2025, Republicans will work quickly to debate and pass the next five-year Farm Bill, hopefully and I’m sure under regular order.”

Stabenow is retiring from the Senate at the end of the year, and Grassley was asked why she would introduce a new Farm Bill so late in her tenure. “I think one, to show that she is willing to show her hand, so she can’t be condemned without having at least her ideas put into text. The second thing may be laying down a gauntlet for Democrats to follow in the next new Congress.”

Stabenow admitted to reporters after introducing the bill on Monday that it does not have Republican support.

The proposed $39 billion legislation includes $20 billion for a farm safety net that would increase reference prices and provide immediate assistance to producers impacts by severe weather and declining revenue.