Source: POLITICO'S MORNING AGRICULTURE, 5/10/18

The scuttlebutt on Capitol Hill is that House Ag Chairman Mike Conaway doesn't have the votes needed to pass his flagship farm bill.

Votes were formally whipped on Wednesday. While it's still too early for an official headcount, the early signals coming from well-placed sources raise questions about whether Conaway has enough support to bring the bill, H.R. 2 (115), to the floor next week.

What it means: Before likely votes were tallied by the office of Majority Whip Steve Scalise (R-La.), Conaway was still optimistic that he had the backing to get the bill over the finish line. The whip count, Conaway told MA on Wednesday afternoon, would offer him some guidance on "how much work we've got to do and where we've got to do it."

"We're still in the process of talking to individual members who still have ideas about how they're going to tweak the bill in a positive way -- not interested in tweaking the bill in the wrong direction -- but we're always interested in tweaks that might help people strengthen their resolve to go to 'yes,'" Conaway said on his way out from the count.

A crucial group for Conaway to win over is the conservative Freedom Caucus. Mark Meadows (R-N.C.), chairman of the caucus, indicated on Monday that some members could warm to the legislation if certain changes were made, particularly to the sugar program as well as to the work requirements for able-bodied adults without dependents on SNAP. A Freedom Caucus source said Wednesday the group still had not taken an official position but that some members continue to have concerns with the bill.

Still no Democrats: Conaway underscored that conversations to alter the bill continue to be with Republican colleagues. Democrats "told me 'no,' and I take no for an answer," he said.