Collection of 300 ag groups say time for new bill is now.

After more than a month away from Washington, Congress returns to Capitol Hill this week. Will that bring a renewed push for a farm bill? Well, that depends on who you ask.

Agriculture groups certainly hope so. On Monday, a coalition of more than 300 ag-related organizations, including the American Farm Bureau Federation and representatives from all major commodities, sent a letter to House and Senate leaders from both parties. In the letter, they express their “strong support” for a meaningful farm bill that addresses what they say are the worsening conditions in farm country.

“Given the enormous challenges facing production agriculture – including a farm economy that has taken a downward spiral – it is imperative Congress act before year’s end to strengthen farm policy for America’s farmers,” the letter says. “It is critical that Congress pass a new farm bill that strengthens the safety net as many producers are facing multiple years of not being profitable and this is causing their overall financial situation to deteriorate. Some will have challenges as they seek operating credit for the 2025 crop year.”

The groups praised farm bill proposals introduced in the House and Senate back in May and June. However, given the current farm economy and other challenges, they say it’s imperative that Congress pass a farm bill before year’s end.

So what’s on the Congressional agenda?

The top issue facing lawmakers upon their return is appropriations. Government agencies are funded through the end of September. If a new appropriations package isn’t passed by month’s end, various federal agencies will begin shutting down.

One thing most Republicans and Democrats seem to agree on is nobody wants a government shutdown during an election year. However, lawmakers also don’t appear close to finalizing agreements for the 12 appropriations packages that keep the government running. That means the two parties will likely agree on a funding extension. What this looks like could have major implication for farm bill legislation.

Last year, lawmakers extended the 2018 Farm Bill a full year as part of a continuing resolution to keep government agencies running. According to multiple sources close to the negotiations, a second farm bill extension is almost a given. The question remains how long it will be.

House Speaker Mike Johnson, R- LA., supports a plan that would extend federal funding through March 2025. That could conceivably push a new farm bill well into next year as well if an extension is included in the appropriations legislation. However, his plan would also include a provision requiring voters to provide proof of citizenship in all federal legislation. That legislation would likely not pass the Democrat-controlled Senate.

Democrats, as well as some Republicans, prefer a funding extension that only goes into December. That would force lawmakers to address funding this year, but after the elections.

Of course, how lawmakers vote on appropriations is only a clue as to how they will handle the farm bill. Technically, a new farm bill could be passed at any time should lawmakers come to an agreement.

House Agriculture Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson is still holding out hope for a farm bill this year. During an August 28 discussion at the Farm Progress Show in Boone, Iowa, he reiterated his goal of having the current president sign a farm bill that would be executed by the next president.

Thompson also floated the idea of a “preconference” with House Ag Committee Ranking Member David Scott, D- GA, Senate Ag Committee Chair Debbie Stabenow, R- Mich., and Ranking Member John Boozman, R- Ark. The goal of that conference would be to find the common ground necessary to get new legislation moving.

That being said, Thompson reiterated that he believes the Farm, Food, and National Security Act House Republicans introduced in May is the best path forward. The bill passed the Republican-controlled House Agriculture Committee with unanimous GOP support. Four Democrat also voted in favor of the bill. Still, as of now, that plan currently does not have enough to get it across the finish line. That’s presumably why it hasn’t been brought up for a full House vote.

So, farmers are left waiting. According to the ag groups who signed the September 9 letter, the time for waiting is fast running out.

“Congress must act before year’s end to strengthen farm policy for America’s farmers, and we remain committed to assisting in this effort,” the groups say at the conclusion of their letter. “Failing to reauthorize a farm bill without meaningful investments in commodity programs and crop insurance, or settling for a simple extension of current law, would leave thousands of family farms with no options to continue producing for this nation in 2025 and beyond.”

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