Senator Debbie Stabenow, Chairwoman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, today issued the following statement regarding confirmation from Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid that the Senate will begin debate on Farm Bill amendments tomorrow. The Senate will begin with consideration of two amendments, one from Democratic Senator Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire regarding U.S. sugar policy, and another from Republican Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky regarding the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
“I am pleased that debate will begin in earnest on the Senate floor tomorrow. Considering two amendments on major policy issues allows the process to move forward while leaders continue to work on an agreement on the full slate of amendments that will come up for a vote.
“Up to this point our work on the Farm Bill has been a glimmer of bipartisanship that is unfortunately all-too-rare in Congress today. With more than 16 million agriculture jobs hanging in the balance, it is critical that we keep moving forward and pass a Farm Bill that gives American farmers and ranchers the certainty they need to continue growing the economy.