Many speak out against the blocking of the farm bill in the Senate

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — Today, the Senate blocked the newly reconstructed farm bill from advancing out of the Senate Agriculture Committee. The vote was 10-11, pushing Chair John Boozman to recess the panel.

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Many people spoke out against the Senate Agriculture Committee after they did not come to an agreement.

Sen. Pete Ricketts said the Senate Democrats are to blame.

“For months, there has been bipartisan agreement that we need to do more for our farmers and ranchers. Today, Senate Democrats had an opportunity to support Ag producers by voting to advance the Farm Bill out of the Senate Ag Committee,” Ricketts said. “Instead, they chose to play politics and voted against it in committee. America’s farmers and ranchers feed and fuel the world. Republicans will continue to fight for them while Democrats continue to treat them as political pawns.”

Dan Osborn, nonpartisan candidate for Nebraska Senate, disagreed and said both parties’ senators failed to show up.

“This is unacceptable. A farm bill has not been passed since 2018, and that bill was written using data from 2014. Once again, DC has shown that it is more interested in partisan politics than doing what it should to support our farmers and ranchers,” Osborn said. “The bill failed to get out of committee because two senators failed to show up to work. Pete Ricketts doesn’t seem to be concerned that Mitch McConnell was unable to take his vote. He defended McConnell’s extraordinary leave of absence before using capital police as a shield from accountability. Pete’s shown that he’d rather stand by and avoid rocking the boat as Senators ignore their duties than actually fight for our farmers and ranchers. Democrats could have also reached across the aisle to make sure a farm bill passed, but refused to compromise. Any Democrat could have voted to move this bill forward, but chose to stand by their party bosses rather than do what’s best for their constituents. The Farm Bill is more important than scoring partisan points. Enough is enough. No senator should receive a paycheck until a farm bill is passed.”

The President of Nebraska Farm Bureau said Nebraska farmers and ranchers stay determined.

“Today is a disappointing day for Nebraska’s farmers, ranchers, and consumers. Simply put, food security starts with a strong farm economy, and the failure of the Senate Agriculture Committee to move a new Farm Bill to the Senate floor does nothing but create more uncertainty for our nation’s food producers,” Mark McHargue said. “It is also highly disappointing that, yet again, achieving year-round sales of E15 failed to advance after years of tireless work. We thank Nebraska Sen. Deb Fischer for her support of the bill, and her unrelenting pursuit to get this bill along with year-round sales of E15 to President Trump’s desk. Today, even in the face of this setback, Nebraska farm and ranch families remain resolute and determined to get this bill across the finish line.”

Finally, the National Farmers Union said Congress is running out of time.

“Family farmers and ranchers need the right farm bill— one that addresses today’s challenges and anticipates future needs,” President Rob Larew said. “That means a farm safety net that accounts for high input costs and persistently low prices, along with stronger conversation funding and real protections against corporate monopolies. It is essential that lawmakers work together to get a strong farm bill signed into law. Congress is running out of time to get this done.”