The House Rules Committee appears ready to meet the week of April 27 to finalize plans for consideration of the farm bill, aligning with Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson’s push to bring the legislation to the House floor this month. Thompson has given Representatives the opportunity to submit amendments to the committee passed bill until noon on Wednesday, April 22. The schedule remains fluid as lawmakers prioritizes completing action on funding the partially shut down Department of Homeland Security and discuss a second reconciliation bill. Lawmakers in the chamber will return to their districts for a week-long recess during the first week of May.
The farm bill advanced through the House Agriculture Committee in March on a 34-17 vote with the support of all Republicans and seven Democrats after partisan clashes over food assistance cuts, ethanol policy, overturning California’s Proposition 12 animal welfare standard, and a provision to protect pesticide manufacturers from lawsuits, among others.