House Committee on Agriculture Releases $1.5 Trillion 2024 Farm Bill, Drawing Mixed Reactions
House Committee on Agriculture Releases $1.5 Trillion 2024 Farm Bill
In a historic move, the House Committee on Agriculture has released a nearly 1,000-page document drafting the long-awaited 2024 Farm Bill totaling $1.5 trillion – making it the first trillion-dollar farm bill in history.
House committee chair Glenn Thompson, a Republican, described the Farm, Food and National Security Act of 2024 as a product of extensive feedback from stakeholders and all members of the House, incorporating hundreds of bipartisan policies to meet the needs of farm country.
However, Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., who chairs the Senate Agriculture Committee, expressed concerns about the proposal, stating that it makes significant cuts to the family safety net and blocks USDA’s ability to provide real-time assistance through the Commodity Credit Corporation Charter Act.
Despite her reservations, Stabenow acknowledged that the proposal is a step forward in the process. Agriculture advocates, including American Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall and Ted McKinney, CEO of the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture, expressed support for the progress made in the bill.
The 2018 Farm Bill expired in 2023 but was extended through 2024, with the legislation being voted on every five years. Rep. Marc Molinaro, R-N.Y., a member of the House Committee on Agriculture, emphasized the importance of a balanced approach to the legislation, focusing on funding for both agriculture and nutrition programs.
Molinaro highlighted the inclusion of bills in the 2024 Farm Bill that provide relief for dairy farmers, specialty farmers, and organic farmers, as well as expanding access and assistance to farm families with individuals living with disabilities.
While the House farm bill has received support from some groups, it has also faced opposition from organizations like the HEAL Food Alliance, who criticize the bill for failing to protect farmworkers, address climate change, and leaving families food insecure.
Despite the opposition, Thompson’s draft of the bill includes funding from the Inflation Reduction Act, although it lacks a specific focus on climate change. The House Committee on Agriculture will consider amendments to the proposed Farm Bill on Thursday.
Overall, the 2024 Farm Bill aims to provide relief to farmers while also supporting families in need, with a focus on equity, sustainability, and addressing the challenges faced by young farmers and ranchers.
