House Agriculture committee pulls back on farm bill markup
With the Senate nearing passage of its farm bill, the House Agriculture Committee abruptly pulled back Wednesday from its long-planned markup next week, amid signs that House Republican leaders want a pause to consider how to proceed this summer.
House Chairman Frank Lucas (R-Okla.) told POLITICO that he will move “hell or high water” on a farm bill when lawmakers return after the July 4th recess. But he confirmed the change in plans, which came after discussions with Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-Va.).
Continue ReadingCantor’s involvement is an ominous sign for farm bill advocates, but his aides insisted that the Virginia Republican was not saying “no” to any House farm bill this summer. Instead, they said the majority leader wanted to “push the pause button” and allow time for some assessment of the political situation.
Indeed, top House Republicans appear caught by surprise by the progress made in the Senate on its farm bill, having assumed it would collapse amid the typical partisan fighting. Instead a deal was reached Monday night allowing for orderly votes, and the measure has steadily advanced to a point where Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) predicted passage will be completed Thursday.
The crop insurance industry suffered a series of setbacks in narrow votes Wednesday. But in both cases, the results add to the “reform” image boasted by proponents. And the bill now boasts over $24 billion in 10-year savings and on a 59-40 vote Wednesday, it rolled over a conservative attempt to recommit it to committee.
Lucas said the changed House schedule is driven too by the fact that floor debate is scheduled next week on a $19.4 billion Agriculture Department appropriations bill that touches on farm programs. After his meeting with Cantor, the chairman agreed that it made sense then to have his committee members on the floor in what could become a preview of the whole farm bill debate.
“Many antagonists from both ends of the spectrum will go after it,” Lucas told POLITICO. “They’ll view the Ag appropriations bill as a miniature farm bill. I’m of the opinion that the Agriculture Committee has to be all hands on deck to work with the appropriators.”
“It’s my hope that we will move shortly after we come back” after the holiday, Lucas said. “You can say that the chairman indicated come hell or high water the Agriculture Committee will do its work.”
While Lucas has always bet himself on Senate passage, he sees major shortcomings to the safety net the Senate bill provides for farmers, especially from the South.
In a brief interview, he said he is confident that pressure will build for House floor action, but as the chairman, he also feels compelled to produce a bill that can stand as an alternative five-year plan.
“If I don’t do my work, the only document that exists is the Senate-passed bill,” Lucas told POLITICO. “Then I’m leaving a bunch of people exposed for the next five years, and I will not let that happen.”
Readers' Comments (15)
Of course Cantor wants a pause, if the Senate is for something the house is against it. Even if it would help America and Americans Cantor is against it. They will do anything in their power to sabotage America.
They go after teachers in Wisconsin...
Mittens says we don't need more first responders...
Now Can't OR (won't) is going after farmers...
Time to wake up America...The GOP HATES the middle class
Why not tell us what is in this farm bill? If it's a subsidy bill, like in years past, why not own up to it? Are you afraid that citizens of the United States are so disenchanted with subsidizing crops at above market prices that they'll slam the brakes on it themselves? Just wondering. Trust liberal news outlets to never divulge details that go against their express interests. People have to read both sides these days for complete information because both sides leave stuff out.
direct evidence of repugitarded obstriction
still willing to play the fool and ignore the evidence ?
wait until you learn how the ryan budget raises taxes on the middle class to fund tax cuts for the rich
politico will not tell the truth, but the truth is out
Cantor is one of the most partisan members in the House. He needs to be thrown out, and if this bill dies, I'm blaming him.
What a worthless POS cantor is. I hope to meet him some day to tell him to his face.
More evidence Cantor wants what he believes is good for the GOP, not what is good for America.
cantor is not worth a comment
Cantor is a filthy Israeli firster, he sure is in a rush to give Israel all the money they want, this man is a traitor he is like Lieberman, these filthy zionist are in every form of our government now.
Cantor's like Joe Wurzelbacher to stupid to make it in the real world, so became a politician. Let special interest tell them what to think.
Why is this called the "Farm Bill"? Should it not be called the Grocery Bill?
4 out of every 5 dollars of the "farm bill" goes to food stamps.
More money is spent on the food-stamp program than is spent on the entire system of US roads and bridges.
.
Thank you Longhorn for acknowledging that this bill has very little to do with farming and everything to do with food stamps, the SNAP program and other entitlements. When will either party start taking serious action toward reining in the out of control federal spending? How unbelievably pathetic.
The House GOP is worthless, and is the reason why nothing is getting done, especially on jobs. They refuse to pass anything unless it gets passed with 218 GOP votes, which insists that everything they do pass is too partisan to pass the Senate and signed by the President.
A bunch of petulant children that have taken their ball and gone home after they couldn't get all the toys.
Jacka****.
@EW8: It rescinds many subsidies to farming corporations that do not need it.
The reason why the House GOP is doing this is because the Senate refused to absolutely gut food stamps over the next 10 years. Because, as we know, the House Republicans beleive all the cost must be bore by those on the bottom for more tax cuts for their precious job creators, who, despite record profits, aren't creating record jobs.
usafirst1 So tell me, is your weekend wardrobe a white hood and sheet or a black leather trench coat with a peaked cap? Just curious.
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