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McConnell files cloture on Farm Bill, vote underway

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has filed cloture on the Farm Bill.

The Majority Leader says he wants to see the Senate farm bill passed.  “The farm bill is too important of a subject to keep our farmers and their families waiting,” he says.  “After all, the groups advocating on their behalf overwhelmingly support it.”

McConnell says the Senate recently received a letter from farm groups emphasizing the importance of passing a farm bill during tough economic times.  “The Senate must not fail that test,” he says.  “It is time to pass the farm bill.”

Senate Ag Committee chair Pat Roberts made an impassioned plea to put aside political differences and pass the farm bill.  “For goodness sakes, when agriculture is in almost a crisis and we desperately need to provide the farmers the knowledge that we’re passing the bill in their benefit, and it is a good bill,” he says.  “Why on Earth can’t we get this done?”

While a vote is expected Friday morning, with the upcoming 4^th of July holiday – it could come as soon as today.