Source: POLITICO'S MORNING AGRICULTURE, 11/16/18

As House and Senate agriculture leaders on Thursday stopped publicly casting blame for the lack of a farm bill deal, the chairmen of the two panels both said they're close to reaching a deal. The nutrition title that is being negotiated — one of the major sources of controversy — would blend Senate and House proposals, lawmakers said. Both sides were tight-lipped about any details.

How about Monday? Other unresolved issues include the conservation title and regulatory language, lawmakers said, as talks remain fluid. "There are a few things, but we're darn close," said House Agriculture Chairman Mike Conaway. Senate Agriculture Chairman Pat Roberts said he's hoping a deal will come together by Monday.

New analysis of House SNAP changes: Mathematica Policy Research released a new study Thursday that found as many as 1.1 million households would see a cut in their SNAP benefit levels under the House farm bill, H.R. 2 (115). But the analysis also found that benefits would go up for roughly a fifth of SNAP households (4 million households). The analysis is here.

Calendar check: As of today, there are just 12 joint legislative days remaining in the lame-duck, though it's possible leadership could add more time to the schedule.

McConnell pledges action: Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell discussed the farm bill with President Donald Trump at the White House on Thursday in a broader meeting about lame-duck priorities. "We will finish the farm bill before the end of the year," McConnell said after the meeting.