On Friday, May 10, the House Agriculture Committee released the most detailed summary of its farm bill draft to date, ahead of the anticipated May 23 markup. The latest summary – released just days before full legislative text is expected – offers insights into Chairman Glenn "GT" Thompson's (R-PA-15) approach to the House farm bill.
"The National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC) is pleased to see continued momentum on both sides of Capitol Hill toward completing a farm bill. However, the summary released last week by the House Agriculture Committee offers little to alleviate our concerns that the bill will meaningfully address NSAC members' priorities, including a more fair and accessible farm safety net, robust investments in local and regional food systems, and the full protection of climate-focused conservation resources. A bill that closely mirrors the latest House summary is not a bill that should become law," said Mike Lavender, NSAC Policy Director.
The House Agriculture Committee summary comes days after Senate Agriculture Committee Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) released a detailed section-by-section description of the Rural Prosperity and Food Security Act. The full legislative text has yet to be unveiled in either chamber, and NSAC will reserve final assessments of the farm bill and its impacts – from advancing racial equity to investing in healthy communities, leveling the playing field for small and mid-sized farmers, and building toward a climate-resilient future – until full bill text becomes available.
For more information:
National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition
sustainableagriculture.net