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Senate Farm Bill moves forward with amendments

The Senate Ag Committee passed its version of the farm bill today on a 20-1 vote.

The lone no vote came from Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley, who had promised to vote against the bill if it did not include commodity program payment limits. Grassley planned to offer a payment limits amendment, but last-minute changes to the wording prevented him from doing so.  Ag Committee Chair Pat Roberts said he would work with Grassley on his amendment when the bill is brought to the Senate floor.

Before approving the bill, the committee adopted several amendments, including one to help build an export market in Cuba.

Chandler Goule, the CEO of the National Association of Wheat Growers says, this would be a big win for US wheat growers.

“We have a self-imposed embargo on the country of Cuba that we need to lift and being able ot use the market access program and the foreign market development program dollars to go down there and build out demand for US wheat products is very important,” he says.

The amendment was introduced by Senators Heidi Heitkamp and John Boozman.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell says the Farm Bill will be brought to the Senate floor before the July 4th recess.

Chandler Goule, National Association of Wheat Growers