The Senate Agriculture Committee rejected a five-year farm bill Thursday at a contentious markup plagued by Republican absences and a Democratic rebellion over plans for imposing food stamp costs on state governments.
The 10-11 vote defeating the 983-page bill marked a rare break from the bipartisan support that typically accompanies a farm bill, a sprawling package reauthorizing agricultural safety net and food assistance programs.
While the Republican-controlled committee could normally approve the bill along party lines, GOP Sens. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky and Tommy Tuberville of Alabama were absent, leaving their party short of a majority.
“I’m deeply disappointed by this outcome,” Agriculture Chairman John Boozman, R-Ark., said in a statement following the markup. “We have a responsibility to stand with America’s farmers, ranchers and rural communities. Everyone recognizes the serious challenges they continue to face, and blocking the farm bill only adds to the uncertainty and hardship.”
Boozman recessed, instead of adjourning, the committee after the vote and said the panel would return after the August recess and “probably vote on this again.”
