"Critical Week for Farm Bill, Direction of Congress"

"This week could be pivotal not only for the future of the farm bill, but also the direction for the rest of this Congress."http://www.dtnprogressivefarmer.com/dtnag/view/blog/getBlog.do?blogHandle=policy&blogEntryId=8a82c0bc3e43976e013fbbecd2200e83&utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

"House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, has to decide how to proceed on advancing the farm bill following the unprecedented defeat of the legislation on the House floor on June 20. Does he seek compromise with Democrats and members of his party who back the Agriculture Committee bill? Or will Boehner go along with a strategy to find enough votes within the Republican caucus by dividing the nutrition and farm programs?

If Boehner seeks to draw more than 24 votes from Democrats, he would have to moderate some of the provisions added in amendments, particularly on the cuts in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program -- food stamps. Some of the amendments added to the bill poisoned the well for many Democrats, including provisions to allow drug testing and require minimum work requirements for able-bodied people, similar to current requirements for cash welfare assistance."

Chris Clayton reports for Progressive Farmer July 7, 2013.