Houses approves Farm Bill conference report

The U.S. House of Representatives has approved the conference report for the 2014 Farm Bill by a vote of 251 to 166. The farm bill conference committee approved the conference report for the bill, formally titled the Agriculture Act of 2014, on Jan. 27. The U.S. Senate is expected to vote on the conference report by next week.

A total of 162 republicans and 89 democrats voted to pass the conference report, with 63 republicans and 103 democrats voting against it. According to the official voting results, six republicans and 8 democrats declined to vote on the measure.

“I am pleased a majority of my House colleagues joined me in supporting a five-year, comprehensive farm bill.  I appreciate the efforts of everyone who helped get us here.  This is legislation we can all be proud of because it fulfills the expectations the American people have of us.  They expect us to work together to find ways to reduce the cost of the federal government.  The Agricultural Act contributes major savings to deficit reduction, significant reforms to policy, and yet still provides a safety net not only for the production of American food and fiber, but also to ensure our fellow citizens have enough food to eat. I am hopeful this legislation will enjoy the same success when the Senate considers it, and I encourage the president to sign it quickly into law," said House Agriculture Committee Chairman Frank Lucas, R-Okla.

Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D, MIch, chairwoman of the Senate Agriculture Committee, released a statement offering her congratulations and thanks to the House for its commitment to American agriculture. “We are on the verge of achieving major reform. Today’s House vote puts us one step closer to finally enacting a five-year Farm Bill that helps farmers and businesses create jobs across the country and saves taxpayers billions. This bill eliminates unnecessary subsidies, creates a more effective farm safety-net and strengthens our commitment to conservation of land and water,” she said. “It’s now up to the Senate to take the final step. The Senate has twice passed the farm bill with overwhelming bipartisan support. I have no doubt we’ll do it again, and show that it is possible to do something to reduce the deficit and boost the economy when people work across the aisle.”

Additional information on the 2014 Farm Bill and its Energy Title provisions is available here. Details on the House vote are available on the House website.

l