Farm Bill Prospects Still Iffy in 2024 Following GOP Convention

The national political focus this week was in Milwaukee at the GOP’s nominating convention, where agriculture policy generally, and the 2024 farm bill specifically, were discussed in brief generalities. During a Politico-hosted event earlier this week, House Agriculture Committee Chair GT Thompson, R-PA, said that he remains hopeful that the full House will vote to approve the bill his committee passed with all Republican votes and four Democratic votes earlier in the summer. He is still seeking floor time for a House vote before the fall.

The bigger question is whether any action will occur yet this year in the Senate. The top Republican on the Senate ag committee, John Boozman, R-AR, told the audience at the Politico event that he’s a bit more optimistic because, given the momentum Republicans appear to be building toward the November elections, the prospects of Republican control of the White House, House and Senate may prompt a greater desire by Democrats to finalize the farm bill this year, even in a lame duck session in the final weeks of 2024. However, Sen. Roger Marshall, R-KS, said that the potential for GOP control of Congress is precisely the reason why lawmakers should extend current policy another year and wait until Republicans are the majority in both chambers of Congress, along with the White House. In any event, it’s not likely we’ll see more movement on the farm bill prior to the congressional August recess.