Source: POLITICO'S MORNING AGRICLTURE, 3/17/18

After many days of talks between House Ag Chairman Mike Conaway and ranking member Collin Peterson, bipartisan farm bill negotiations screeched to a halt Thursday afternoon after Democrats on the committee revolted over deep concerns about potential changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, report Pro Ag's Liz Crampton and Helena Bottemiller Evich. 

Peterson shut down the talks after facing considerable pressure from fellow Democrats who complained that they weren't looped in on potential changes to the food stamp program. In fact, many of them had to read about the proposals in the media, 19 committee Democrats said in a letter addressed to Peterson on Thursday. They demanded a halt to the negotiations until text of the legislation is shared with fellow members. 

"The Democratic members have made clear that they unanimously oppose the farm bill's SNAP language as it has been described to them and reported in the press," Peterson said in a statement. He said he asked Conaway to release to Agriculture Committee members the actual language, CBO scores and potential effects to recipients.

"I'm not sure where this will take us but it will give the members information about what is actually being proposed," Peterson said.

What's next? The development is a considerable blow to the sweeping bill, which has been seen by many as one of the only real chances for bipartisanship in Congress this year. Congress is supposed to reauthorize the bill every five years but political wrangling has threatened its fate.