Senate Ag Republicans Release Farm Bill Framework

This week, Senator John Boozeman of Arkansas, ranking member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, released the Republican membership’s framework for the 2024 Farm Bill. 

Republicans are promoting their version of the legislation as putting more “farm” in the Farm Bill by modernizing the agricultural safety net and increasing funding for conservation programs.

Senator Boozman argued that agriculture has changed since the signing of the 2018 Farm Bill, and the next edition must be adjusted to meet those new economic conditions. The proposed framework includes an average increase of 15 percent for all covered commodities. 

The Republican version of the bill mimics the proposed House Farm Bill voted on in May by pushing a cost-neutral policy towards the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP. By limiting the growth of SNAP, Republicans hope to have more dollars to funnel towards other titles of the Farm Bill. 

Senator Debbie Stabenow is expected to release the Democratic majority’s framework in the coming days. 

For Market to Market, I’m Peter Tubbs.

contact: Peter.Tubbs@iowapbs.org