The current farm bill is not adequate to provide relief or safety nets for U.S. farmers, nor is it reflective of the current state of the farm economy, said Sen. Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), a lead sponsor of the ICBA-advocated ACRE Act (S. 2371/H.R. 3139).
Details: Moran’s remarks reflect similar concerns expressed last week by Senate Agriculture Committee Ranking Member John Boozman (R-Ark.). Efforts to pass a short-term farm aid package or a new farm bill prior to year’s end are growing, according to recent reports, and there have been calls for an emergency aid package to provide financial assistance to farmers as quickly as possible.
More: Speaking on the Senate floor, Moran said farm income has declined 43% over the past five years and net farm income is expected to be 27% lower this year than it was in 2022. The current farm bill technically expires Sept. 30, but most programs run until the end of the year.
ICBA View: ICBA and more than 300 other groups earlier this month called on Congress to advance a meaningful farm bill in 2024 that addresses worsening conditions in farm country. The groups said it is time to pass a new farm bill instead of extending the current bill given the potential for many farmers to not qualify for financing.
