Conferees Begin Farm Bill Negotiations

Lawmakers to Narrow Gap between House and Senate Food Stamp Cuts

By Amanda Brodhagen, Farms.com

It’s a tough job ahead of 41 farm bill conferees as they begin to reconcile the House and Senate versions on a renewed five-year food and farm policy, Wednesday.

The talks will largely center on food stamps. Lawmakers are tasked to reconcile $40 billion in cuts to nutrition programs proposed by the Republican-led House, while the Senate version would only cut about $400 million.

On the eve of conference negotiations, a coalition of 250 farm lobby groups reinforced the importance of a renewed farm bill, and the need for permanent law provisions. The groups also urged Congress to include a “meaningful nutrition title,” which can be signed by President Obama.

Proceedings on the bipartisan farm bill can be viewed live here at 2:30p.m. (ET): http://agriculture.house.gov.