Focus on appropriation bills thumps and reduces chance of passage --- congress could default to another extension
Abbot, 6/5/2024 --- Master's degree in Public Affairs Reporting at Sangamon State University, Editor of the daily electronic newsletter Ag Insider, covered U.S. food and agriculture policy in its many forms since 1988, from farm bills (six so far) and crop insurance reform to school lunch, ag research, biofuels and the Dietary Guidelines (June 5, 2024, Chuck Abbott, “Stabenow says farm bill passage is within reach this year; Stabenow released a farm bill outline a month ago, and Senate Republicans are expected to respond with a farm bill framework soon,” https://www.agriculture.com/stabenow-says-farm-bill-passage-is-within-reach-this-year-8658515, JMP))
The House was expected to devote its attention in the near term to work on the annual appropriations bills that fund the government. That could reduce the chances for a prompt House vote on the farm bill, let alone House and Senate agreement on a final version of the bill before the end of summer. Lawmakers agreed last fall to a one-year extension of the 2018 farm law, through this Sept. 30. Without an extension, USDA would lose authority to operate the farm program.
Congressional leaders have the options of a short-term extension, with the possibility of agreement on the farm bill during the post-election session, or a longer-running extension because of intractable disagreements over the bill. The 2018 farm law was enacted after a round of deal-making following the mid-term elections.