Source: Dani Friedland, MEATINGPLACE, 12/13/13


The House of Representatives on Thursday passed a measure that would extend the current farm bill through Jan. 31, 2014.

“There are still some outstanding issues that we are addressing,” House Committee on Agriculture Chairman Frank Lucas (R-Okla.) said in a statement Tuesday. “I am confident we'll work through them and finish a farm bill in January.” Announcing his intention to file legislation to extend the current bill, he said, “having this option on the table is the responsible thing to do in light of our tight deadline.”

Lucas introduced the measure, House Resolution 3695, Wednesday. The bill extends the Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008 and amendments made by that act amid fears that milk prices would rise sharply after dairy subsidies expire. The House passed H.R. 3695 in a voice vote after less than 10 minutes of debate, according to the Office of the Clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) has previously said that the Senate will not extend the current farm law if Congress can't agree on a new bill before adjourning for the holidays, according to the Associated Press. Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), who chairs the Senate Agriculture Committee, also opposes the extension, arguing that a new five-year farm bill would be possible if the House leadership stayed in D.C. through next week as the Senate's will, Bloomberg reports. Friday, Dec. 13, is the last day the House is scheduled to meet in 2013.

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