FARM BILL UPDATE: SENATE VOTE POSSIBLE THIS WEEK OR NEXT

Tricia Braid

Jun 04, 2013  |  Today's News

In news out of Washington, DC, this afternoon, debate in the Senate on the 2013 Farm Bill may be ending by the end of the week. This opens the door for a vote either later this week or on Monday of next week. Illinois Corn Growers Association has been heavily engaged in the crafting of the next farm bill and will continue doing so through the House version, conference committee, and ultimate signing by the President.

Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., told reporters today that the Senate is likely to invoke cloture on the Farm Bill on Thursday, clearing the way for a final vote that day or when the Senate returns on Monday, June 10.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., will file cloture on the farm bill today. It is reported that Reid has decided to invoke cloture because no agreement has been reached on a package of amendments and time agreements. If an agreement on amendments is reached before Thursday, it is possible the vote on final passage will be held Thursday.

Stabenow also said that her staff contacted other senators about voting on four amendments today, but that senators had objected to holding votes at this time. Stabenow declined to state the content of the amendments, but she said they were amendments that would be likely to pass.

Cloture requires 60 votes.

The Senate is scheduled to continue debating the farm bill this afternoon.