Both Republican lawmakers and former President Trump appear to benefit politically from legislative dysfunction and a general sense of chaos, including the delayed passage of the farm bill. They seem to prefer disrupting institutional processes rather than engaging in routine, orderly legislation.
Thanks for keeping this issue in the forefront for all of us, Barry. I am not expecting anything good to come from this crew in the next two years on any legislation.
I agree. At best, we’ll simply endure it. Worst case - also among the most likely - they destroy democracy and make the federal government a pile of unworkable rubble.
I know. It is going to be a mess. They also have now backed themselves into a corner where they are sure to get a worse bill than they would have gotten under Biden and a Democratic Senate Musk and Trump insist on cutting trillions from government.
The chaos of last year may be just a preview of coming attractions.
Thank you for keeping this to the forefront, Barry.
Apparently a sticking point with our Iowa Republicans is how to make sure a) previously approved IRA funds promoting conservation do NOT get continued and added to the farm bill, and b) subsidies to large commodity producers can be increased but not food security funds for low income Americans.
Feenstra sent out a news release/social media post last year seemingly blaming Democratic senators for the farm bill delay, yet the House as a whole did not even take up a farm bill for discussion. Am I correct?
I will be interested in your observations about some of these details.
That is correct, Jim. He is a big blame gamer, but it’s kind of hard to blame others when your own party controls the House and the committee and couldn’t get the bill on the floor.
And when you (Feenstra) serves as a member of the committee.
Making matters worse, they must now pass the bill in a Congress far less inclined to write a strong five year bill as Musk aims to cut trillions from the federal budget, and this Congress has a majority that thinks they are Trump/Musk stenographers.
You are correct: Feenstra tried on a regular basis to blame Democrats. But House leaders never brought the Farm Bill to the floor last year—presumably because they knew it didn’t have the votes.
Both Republican lawmakers and former President Trump appear to benefit politically from legislative dysfunction and a general sense of chaos, including the delayed passage of the farm bill. They seem to prefer disrupting institutional processes rather than engaging in routine, orderly legislation.
Thanks for keeping this issue in the forefront for all of us, Barry. I am not expecting anything good to come from this crew in the next two years on any legislation.
I agree. At best, we’ll simply endure it. Worst case - also among the most likely - they destroy democracy and make the federal government a pile of unworkable rubble.
And every single person who voted for these people will be left in the ditch. Except for, you know, the million/billionaires who own them.
I have no idea how they will get their Farm Bill through the House with such a small majority.
I know. It is going to be a mess. They also have now backed themselves into a corner where they are sure to get a worse bill than they would have gotten under Biden and a Democratic Senate Musk and Trump insist on cutting trillions from government.
The chaos of last year may be just a preview of coming attractions.
I genuinely don't know if they can get any bill. I would not be surprised if they end up extending the 2018 Farm Bill again.
I agree. Actual legislating isn’t really their thing, plus they are so divided among themselves.
I don’t expect my Farm Bill “Accountability Ticker” to be a short lived feature.
Thank you for keeping this to the forefront, Barry.
Apparently a sticking point with our Iowa Republicans is how to make sure a) previously approved IRA funds promoting conservation do NOT get continued and added to the farm bill, and b) subsidies to large commodity producers can be increased but not food security funds for low income Americans.
Feenstra sent out a news release/social media post last year seemingly blaming Democratic senators for the farm bill delay, yet the House as a whole did not even take up a farm bill for discussion. Am I correct?
I will be interested in your observations about some of these details.
Thank you!
That is correct, Jim. He is a big blame gamer, but it’s kind of hard to blame others when your own party controls the House and the committee and couldn’t get the bill on the floor.
And when you (Feenstra) serves as a member of the committee.
Making matters worse, they must now pass the bill in a Congress far less inclined to write a strong five year bill as Musk aims to cut trillions from the federal budget, and this Congress has a majority that thinks they are Trump/Musk stenographers.
You are correct: Feenstra tried on a regular basis to blame Democrats. But House leaders never brought the Farm Bill to the floor last year—presumably because they knew it didn’t have the votes.