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The ongoing dispute in Congress over the Farm Bill has left farmers feeling uncertain about their future. The agriculture and nutrition bill, which was last revised in 2018 and should have expired two years ago, is causing growers to worry that the Trump administration’s agenda will overshadow their needs in the coming year.
Written by Maya C. Miller
Covering news from the United
There is a dispute in Congress regarding a new farm bill, which may result in lawmakers delaying a decision for another year. This could mean that American farmers and families who rely on food assistance may not receive an update to the legislation that determines the amount of federal support they receive.
Both Republicans and Democrats believe that it is necessary to create a new bill. The previous bill was created in 2018 and expired two years ago, leaving American farmers operating under outdated policies that are six years old.
However, the two political parties are unable to resolve a fundamental disagreement regarding how to fund the proposed program. Republicans are pushing to decrease funding for nutrition assistance programs for the underprivileged in order to increase financial aid for farmers. On the other hand, Democrats are adamant about not reducing food assistance for those with low incomes. This conflict is expected to escalate further in the upcoming year, especially with President-elect Donald J. Trump taking office and the Republicans holding majority control in Congress.
Robert Guenther, a former House Agriculture Committee aide and agriculture policy expert representing tomato growers in Florida, noted that significant changes have occurred in the world since 2018 and the previous farm bill. He emphasized the need to update and revitalize outdated policies that are currently in a state of limbo.
Beneath the debate over the policy, there is also a political storyline. Senator Debbie Stabenow from Michigan, who is the Democratic chairwoman of the Agriculture Committee and has been a prominent advocate for the issue for over ten years, will step down in January.
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