The New Senate Farm Bill Skips Over Some of the House’s Controversial Measures

Lawmakers have until the end of September before the current farm bill expires.

Sen. John Boozman

Sen. John Boozman chairs the Senate Agriculture Committee. Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call via AP Images

Senate Agriculture Committee Chair John Boozman released a draft farm bill on Tuesday that omits some of the most politically divisive provisions in the House-passed version, setting up a potential clash between the chambers.

The farm bill addresses agriculture and food assistance, but Congress has not passed a new version since 2018, opting instead to extend past legislation. This year, lawmakers hope to approve a new version that provides updates to federal programs and gives much needed support to farmers across the country.

The text from Boozman, an Arkansas Republican, is meant to be a path to 60 votes.