Hinson frustrated about lack of Farm Bill progress

WASHINGTON — Time is running out for Congress to either approve a new Farm Bill or pass another one-year extension of the 2018 Farm Bill before the end of the year.

The House Agriculture Committee approved its version of the next Farm Bill last spring, but north-central Iowa congresswoman Ashley Hinson says it’s been frustrating that the bill has not advanced any further, and with only days left in the 2024 session, another extension will likely be approved with a continuing budget resolution.  “I have made this clear. I’ve been pushing to get that Farm Bill to the floor for months. I’ve advocated to our leadership directly and have continued to do that. Unfortunately, you are right, we are kind of up against the end of the year, and in divided government, with having to fund the government and a CR, I think an updated Farm Bill in its entirety is probably not going to make it before the end of the year.”

Hinson says it sounds favorable an extension will be dealt with along with those budget bills. “At least we’ll be able to continue those programs to make sure that people have at least a little bit of certainty going forward, and then I of course will look forward to working with my colleagues in a trifecta majority in the next Congress to get an updated Farm Bill across the finish line as soon as possible.”

A one-year extension of the 2018 Farm Bill expired on September 30th. Congress must vote by the end of the year for another extension or federal farm payment programs revert to rules established in 1938 and 1949.