Kansas Lawmakers Optimistic About Farm Bill

Speaking during Agricultural Business Council of Kansas City’s March meeting at K-State Olathe, both U.S. Congressional Representative Sharice Davids and Senator Jerry Moran were upbeat about passing a Farm Bill by this year’s August recess. Sen. Moran said lawmakers appear to have the wind behind their backs to push the legislation forward. “Whether it’s the House bill that came out of the House Agriculture Committee or it’s the draft that Sen. John Boozman, Arkansas, produced earlier as the Senate Agriculture Committee’s ranking member,” Sen. Moran noted, “something will be passed.” Sen. Boozman was recently appointed chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee.

The bill’s nutrition program funding could be an obstacle, said the Senator, implying that addressing portions of a new Farm Bill in the reconciliation process is possible. “If the alternative is doing nothing, then doing something in agriculture, particularly putting the commodity title in reconciliation, would have some merit.” He added, “It is important for us to do the whole thing. If we only do part of it, it may be that we never get back to the other parts.” 

Rep. Davids said that USDA’s nutrition programs need to be effective and efficient “and do what they’re intended to do.” She also commented, “I’m not going to pretend we’re all in agreement.”

But she noted her top priority is to ensure the Farm Bill serves the farmers in Kansas and its 3rd district as best as it can. “We really need to be thoughtful and intentional,” she noted. The Farm Bill has to help farmers be successful, she noted. “But not dependent.” Rep. Davids is adamant that the Farm Bill protects crop insurance. “So that farmers can make a living while feeding the world.”