The U.S. House of Representatives Agriculture Committee completed its markup of the Farm, Food and National Security Act of 2024, more commonly known as the farm bill, on May 24 and passed the proposed legislation by a vote of 33-21.
A new farm bill is typically passed every five years. The comprehensive package is the federal government’s biggest tool in helping ensure the U.S. food supply remains secure. Among the most prominent features of the farm bill are risk management tools for farmers and ranchers, nutrition funding for low-income families, agricultural research and conservation programs. The current legislation, which was passed in 2018 and received an 11th-hour, one-year extension last fall, is set to expire at the end of the 2024 fiscal year on Sept. 30.
The committee’s advancement of the new bill earned praise from agricultural groups.
“Cattle producers are thankful that the House Agriculture Committee has advanced a farm bill that delivers on the needs of rural America,” NCBA President and Wyoming rancher Mark Eisele said in a statement. “This farm bill protects the cattle industry from foreign animal disease, supports producers’ voluntary conservation efforts and safeguards our food supply, recognizing that our food security is national security.”
“We applaud the bipartisan vote … but know that tight margins in both chambers and a crowded congressional calendar will present challenges in the next legislative steps,” American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall said in a statement. “We urge House leaders to continue the momentum and bring this important legislation to a vote on the floor. We also urge the Senate Agriculture Committee to follow the lead of the House by scheduling a farm bill markup.”
Among the hottest topics expected to be addressed throughout negotiations on the new bill are funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), reallocation of conservation program funds from the Inflation Reduction Act to farm bill conservation programs, the agriculture secretary’s authority to allocate Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) funds and investment in U.S. farmland by foreign entities.
The full 2024 Farm Bill is likely still months away from becoming law. A packed congressional calendar and the upcoming election present a significant time crunch to getting the sweeping legislation through both chambers of Congress. However, legislators and ag groups alike are cautiously optimistic that the new bill will be passed before the September deadline. As of May 31, the committee-approved farm bill has not been presented on the House floor.
