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Senate passes its farm bill 86-11

The full Senate overwhelmingly passed its version of the 2018 farm bill late Thursday afternoon.

Ag Committee Chairman Pat Roberts of Kansas says bipartisan collaboration was key in garnering the support needed to push the bill across the finish line.

“With 171 amendments, at a vote of 86 to 11, obviously getting this farm bill done has been a tremendous team effort.”

Speaking on the Senate floor after the final votes were tallied, Ranking Member Debbie Stabenow of Michigan said she and her colleagues proved bipartisanship is the way to get things done.

“It’s not always the easiest path to take, however when we put our differences aside and focus on the needs of the communities, the people we serve, that’s how we deliver a good bill.”

South Dakota Senator John Thune’s amendment allowing haying and grazing flexibility on CRP acres was approved.  But amendments to restrict activities of commodity checkoff programs and another to place more restrictions on SNAP recipients were defeated.

Also left out of the legislation was an amendment from Illinois Senator Richard Durbin that would’ve put a means test on premium subsidies for crop insurance.

Members of the House and Senate Ag Committees will now go into conference on the 2018 Farm Bill, presumably after the July 4^th recess.