Agriculture leaders and members of Congress participate in a panel discussion in Boise on Sept. 13. U.S. Rep. Michelle Fischbach, R-Minn., is seated on the left, while U.S. Reps. Mike Simpson, R-Idaho; Russ Fulcher, R-Idaho; and Doug LaMalfa, R-Calif.; are seated on the right. (Clark Corbin/Idaho Capital Sun)
Several agriculture and industry leaders called on Congress to pass a new farm bill during a visit to Boise on Friday that was organized by the Western Caucus Foundation.
A federal farm bill is a massive bill typically passed by Congress every five years. The farm bill includes payments and support programs for farmers, a federal nutritional program, programs to address wildlife habitat, climate change and more. Congress hasn’t passed a farm bill since 2018. The most recent farm bill expired in 2023, but was extended through the end of September, States Newsroom previously reported.
“It’s time we have a farm bill,” American Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall said. “We are very appreciative of the extension that we got, but I will tell you, the current farm bill does not – does not – fit the needs of American agriculture today. Whether it’s COVID, whether it’s inflation, whatever it might be, it does not fit the needs that agriculture has today. And it is time for us to get this done.”