Farm Bill Progress Slowed Due to Debt Limit Debate

The drafting of the next farm bill is off to a remarkably late start. Expected to be the most expensive farm bill ever, the process will be detailed and time-consuming – and late. The expiration of the current bill is September 30. As the date creeps closer, concerns continue to mount. Neither committee has set a timeline for assembling the legislation.

The debt limit debate paused a lot of farm bill-focused discussion, especially as it relates to nutrition spending through programs like SNAP or that the debt ceiling bill was the last word on work requirements. However, a late farm bill is nothing new if history has taught us anything. The 2014 and 2018 bills were completed behind schedule with SNAP as the hurdle each time.

Read more on farm bill talks and progress here.