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McKinney: Optimistic about farm bill despite Washington drama

The CEO of the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture says the recent chaos in Washington could provide an opportunity for lawmakers to find consensus on the next farm bill.

“I would probably be among the minority in that point of view.”

Ted McKinney tells Brownfield the issues could provide a wakeup call for lawmakers but that doesn’t mean passing the farm bill won’t be easy. . McKinney says Congress still needs to pass a budget by mid-November, while the US House has to elect a new speaker and tries to avoid a shutdown. “The fam bill is at the forefront ready to takeoff when finally, finally there is some reckoning on the incredible spending that the US government has been involved with, and that’s too bad that the timing is as it is.”

He says he’s hopeful a bill could get across the finish line early next year. “There are still funds available for most, not all, but for most for USDA and USAID-oriented programs, but by-golly we have to see some real progress over the next few months.”

He says most lawmakers understand that the farm bill is a vital piece of legislation, and it remains a priority among many of them to get passed.