The Senate returns this week from its Labor Day recess with plans for three weeks of legislative activity in hopes of addressing some top priority issues before adjourning to return home for a final campaign effort prior to the November 3 midterm elections. The House will adjourn this week to finalize its reelection efforts. While the Senate has a long list of unfinished business to address, one of its top priorities is to complete committee action on the Farm bill and potentially bring it to the floor for a vote.
Prior to the recess the Senate Ag committee's attempt to report the farm bill was stymied when committee Democrats would not agree to a compromise offer from Chairman John Boozman (R-AR) related to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance (SNAP) program. Ranking Democrat Sen. Amy Klobuchar rejected an offer to delay for one year enforcement of SNAP benefit costs that some states will face starting October 2027. The compromise deal, backed by the White House, is the best and final offer, according to Boozman. However, he did not have the votes to move the bill out of committee. Panel member Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY), who has been absent since June due to a health issue, returned to Washington this week and is expected to provide the necessary vote to move the bill.
In addition to updating key federal ag programs and guidelines, like raising outdated farm loan limits, the farm bill is the vehicle that will be used to allow for year-round, voluntary sales of higher ethanol blends, known as E15. Should the bill get out of committee, an attempt will be made to bring the bill up for a vote of the full Senate. The House has passed its version of the bill, and getting a Senate bill approved could expedite passage of a final measure in a lame duck session after the elections.