The Illinois Farm Bureau is calling on U.S. Senator Dick Durbin to support the latest farm bill as the Senate Agriculture Committee prepares for a possible markup this week.
The current farm bill, which Congress has extended several times since 2023, is set to expire September 30. The U.S. House passed its version of a new farm bill in April, while the Senate proposal failed to advance out of committee in August.
The Farm Bureau launched an action request Monday targeting Durbin because of his position on the Senate Agriculture Committee. IFB members are also traveling to Washington, D.C., this week to encourage lawmakers to move the legislation forward.
The Senate bill failed to advance during an August 6 committee meeting despite a bipartisan amendment process. Disagreements centered on state cost-sharing provisions involving the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP.
The legislation would update several agricultural programs that have not been revised since passage of the 2018 Farm Bill. The Senate proposal also includes provisions allowing nationwide, year-round sales of E15 fuel.
As of Monday morning, Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman John Boozman had not scheduled the anticipated markup.
With the current farm bill nearing expiration and few working days remaining in the congressional session, farm organizations are urging lawmakers to act quickly. For more information, visit this link: https://ilfb.quorum.us/campaign/169443/