McConnell absence foils GOP plans to advance farm bill
The Senate Agriculture Commitee’s attempt to pass the farm bill was unsuccessful due to the absence of Senator Mitch McConnell and unanimous opposition from Democrats. Chairman john Boozman aimed to send the legislation, which covers agriculture and food assistance, to the Senate floor before the August recess, but the vote was hindered mainly by disagreements over food stamp provisions and changes Republicans made to them last year. Boozman offered a one-year delay on certain language, but Democrats demanded a two-year delay; this impasse, along with McConnell’s recovery from a fall, resulted in the bill’s failure. Without McConnell and Senator Tommy Tuberville’s votes (who was absent at the time), the bill was defeated, marking a setback for bipartisan efforts. The prospects for passing the bill this year are slim given the limited time before the November elections and the upcoming lame duck session. The legislation also includes a provision for the year-round sale of 15% ethanol in gasoline, which is contentious among diffrent interest groups. Boozman indicated that passing the bill in the remaining legislative period is highly unlikely, and both parties are uncertain about future negotiations amid changing political dynamics. Simultaneously occurring, the Senate continues to face challenges related to McConnell’s absence, impacting both legislative efforts and the confirmation of judicial and administrative appointments.
A vote on the farm bill failed in the Senate Agriculture Committee on Thursday due to the prolonged absence of Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and unified opposition from Democrats.
Sen. John Boozman (R-AR), the committee chairman, had hoped to send the legislation, a sweeping bill addressing agriculture and food assistance programs, to the Senate floor before lawmakers departed for the August recess.
Recommended Stories
But the vote was all but doomed to fail because of an impasse on food stamps, and how Republicans changed it as part of their party-line tax law last year.
Boozman offered to delay, for a year, language that would force states to shoulder more of the program’s costs. Democrats called that offer inadequate and reiterated their demand Thursday that Republicans agree to a two-year delay.
Without McConnell, who has been recovering from a fall he suffered in June, the vote failed. Neither his nor Sen. Tommy Tuberville’s (R-AL) “proxy” vote counted, while all 11 Democrats opposed the bill, marking a major setback for what is ordinarily a bipartisan piece of legislation. Tuberville was not present at the hearing when the final vote was called.
FETTERMAN SAYS BESHEAR TRYING TO PUT HIS ‘NAME IN THE NEWS’ WITH MCCONNELL HEALTH SCRUTINY
The two sides can still regroup when the Senate reconvenes in September, and Boozman left the committee meeting in recess indefinitely so he could bring members back then.
But the outcome significantly decreases the odds of reaching a deal on the farm bill this year. Boozman told the Washington Examiner on Wednesday that the brief sprint before the November elections was likely not enough time to hold another vote and then get a compromise through the House and Senate.
The legislation includes a provision establishing the year-round sale of 15% ethanol in gasoline, which is supported by senators in corn-producing states but opposed by traditional oil producers such as Texas.
“I think it would be very, very difficult to get done,” he said.
Boozman also appeared skeptical about the lame duck period between Nov. 3 and the end of the current Congress, when both parties could be preparing for a change in power.
“Who knows what’s going to happen then?” he said.
Republicans released further changes to the bill within hours of the Thursday markup and were holding out hope that Democrats, many of whom represent agriculture-heavy states, would back off their red line. Boozman opened the meeting, insisting the one-year delay on food stamp changes was their “best” and “final” offer.
SUSAN COLLINS TO OPPOSE TODD BLANCHE NOMINATION FOR ATTORNEY GENERAL
One Democrat on the committee, Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ), called the meeting “Kabuki theater” and questioned why it had been convened without a bipartisan agreement.
The absence of McConnell, 84, from the Senate has been a repeated bottleneck for Senate Republicans and is also complicating the confirmation of Todd Blanche, President Donald Trump’s choice for attorney general. In a party-line vote, Republicans can only stand to lose two of their members on the Senate floor.
" Conservative News Daily does not always share or support the views and opinions expressed here; they are just those of the writer."
*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
