IA welcomes House passage of farm bill & calls on Senate to act
FAIRFAX, VIRGINIA (June 22, 2018) — Yesterday, the Irrigation Association welcomed the House of Representatives’ passage of the Agriculture and Nutrition Act of 2018, otherwise known as the farm bill. The bill passed by a margin of 213-211, overcoming an initial defeat of the bill in the House on May 18.
As part of its mission to promote efficient irrigation, the IA welcomes progress on the farm bill and remains committed to securing a bill that prioritizes conservation programs in order to increase opportunities for farmers to invest in efficient irrigation.
“The Irrigation Association is pleased with the passage of the House farm bill and is encouraged by the recent Senate activities,” IA Government and Public Affairs Director John Farner said. “We look forward to working with Congress as the farm bill continues to make its way through the process of becoming law.”
The full Senate is expected to debate and vote on its version of the farm bill before the end of June. Earlier this month, the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, S. 3042, easily passed out of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry by a bipartisan vote of 20-1. While there are many differences in the House and Senate versions of the farm bill, specifically relating to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, the IA remains hopeful that a final bill can be negotiated before the Sept. 30 deadline.
“It’s time for Congress to act in support of America’s farmers,” continued Farner. “The House and Senate have a unique opportunity to support American agriculture’s productivity, while benefiting the environment. The time to act is now.”
The Irrigation Association supports a strong farm bill that balances on-farm productivity and conservation, while advancing U.S. agriculture into and beyond the 21st century. Updates can be found at www.irrigation.org/farmbill.