Closeup of United States Capital buildingHouse Agriculture Committee Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson confirmed he plans to introduce a farm bill and consider it in committee before Memorial Day. Thompson said his draft bill would increase funding for commodity programs and crop insurance.

Thompson also said he intends to adjust the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to rein in USDA’s ability to increase spending through its Thrifty Food Plan powers unilaterally.

Earlier week, Senator John Hoeven, a senior member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, unveiled the FARMER Act to increase crop insurance coverage in the next farm bill.

Read more on the latest legislative efforts here.

The FARMER Act aims to increase premium support and make higher levels of coverage affordable for producers. “Crop insurance is the No. 1 tool in the farm safety net, and I’m glad that Senator Hoeven and others are exploring ways to improve it rather than just focusing on reference prices,” Debbie Stabenow, Chair of the Senate Agricultural Committee shared with DTN via email.

Read more on the farm bill negotiations here.