Do not expect a Farm Bill this week

by | Dec 4, 2018 | 5 Ag Stories, News

With time running short in the lame-duck session to pass a new farm bill, the last thing we wanted was another delay. It is what we are going to be dealing with this week. However, it is not a normal week in Washington.

The passing of President George H.W. Bush on Friday evening set the wheels of ceremony in motion at the Nation’s Capital. As is customary when a President passes, the government goes into a period of mourning which usually means a truncated schedule. President Donald Trump has directed a Federal holiday in observance of the 41st President’s funeral. This will set Congressional activities back a week.

The Farm Bill conference report scheduled to be out early this week will now likely be pushed back to early next week. This means no activity from the House and Senate on the bill until next week at the earliest. With a government shutdown looming and other spending bills to finish before year’s end, the timetable just became even more crunched.