- BY JAMISON CRUCE •
Congress recently advanced a two-tiered, short-term continuing resolution (CR) to fund the Federal government into the new year.
The CR also included a one-year extension of the 2018 Farm Bill through Sept. 30, 2024, staving off the threat of permanent law from the 1930s and 1940s being implemented for most agricultural commodities, which would have triggered in the absence of an extension or a new Farm Bill being signed into law.
The 2018 Farm Bill’s five-year authorization expired Oct. 1, 2023; however, both chambers of Congress continue to work on their respective versions of the 2023 Farm Bill.
The House and Senate Agriculture Committees’ leaders released a statement announcing an agreement on the extension.
“As negotiations on funding the government progress, we were able to come together to avoid a lapse in funding for critical agricultural programs and provide certainty to producers. This extension is in no way a substitute for passing a five-year Farm Bill, and we remain committed to working together to get it done next year.”
The Farm Bill extension provides some level of certainty to producers for the 2024 crop year while legislation continues to be drafted. Congress hopes to pass a full five-year reauthorization within the first half of next year ahead of a key campaign and election season.
“USA Rice appreciates Congress’ work to keep the Federal government funded while also extending the 2018 Farm Bill,” said Kirk Satterfield, a Mississippi rice farmer and USA Rice chair. “However, it is imperative that Congress works quickly to pass a bill that is good for rice farmers and our industry, and that means including meaningful updates to the farm safety net, particularly through an increase in the PLC reference price for rice.”