All three of North Dakota’s legislators will be in the Farm Bill Conference committee starting on Sept. 5.
This will be the first time House and Senate conferees will meet to resolve the differences between the two versions of the bill. The biggest difference between the two bills was the SNAP work requirements.
The House changes say work eligible recipients will have to prove they work 20 hours per week, participate in a work program or participate in SNAP Employment and Training.
Sen. John Hoeven released this statement:
“We need to finalize a strong farm bill and get it in place as soon as possible. We continue working to resolve differences and gather input on the farm bill, including at roundtables I held last week. Good farm policy benefits every American at the dinner table, every day.”
Sen. Heidi Heitkamp released a statement ahead of the conference saying:
“With the trade war hurting commodity prices, it’s more important than ever that we pass a Farm Bill on time to give North Dakota producers some much-needed certainty. The current Farm Bill expires at the end of September, so we don’t have a minute to waste. The Senate is in session through August, and I’m ready and eager to get to work just as soon as the House gets done with its five-week summer recess.”
Congressman Kevin Cramer also released a statement saying:
“With the current Farm Bill expiring Sept. 30, we need to get to work to resolve the House and Senate differences and get this new Farm Bill passed. I am pleased we will begin work immediately after Labor Day. A lot of work has already gone into it by the staff and leadership, but this will allow us to make the final push on this legislation so critical to North Dakota’s producers. I have spent a good part of this summer meeting with North Dakotans representing all aspects of agriculture, and look forward to bringing with me their ideas and voices as we shape the final text of the Farm Bill.”
