Analysis shows House farm bill $33 billion over budget

The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office determined August 2 that the House farm bill proposal would increase deficit spending by nearly $33 billion. According to the CBO report, direct spending would increase by $15.4 billion between 2025 and 2029. Between 2024 and 2033, the bill would exceed the farm bill baseline by approximately $32.9 billion.

In May, the House Ag Committee approved a Republicans farm bill proposal known as the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2024. At the time, multiple Democrat critics of the bill noted the spending package was well over budget based on initial CBO projections.

Republican sponsors argued that the CBO analysis was flawed and would be adjusted to account for savings written into the bill. Those proposed savings included reigning in the Secretary of Agriculture’s authority over the Commodity Credit Corporation and limiting future revisions to Thrifty Food Plan. According to House Ag Committee Chair Glenn “GT” Thompson, those flaws remain in the CBO’s data.

“Unfortunately, the score relies on the same methodology that has led CBO to underestimate Commodity Credit Corporation outlays by more than $60 billion over the past seven fiscal years,” Thompson says. “I will continue to work with the Budget Committee and CBO to bring about a clear-eyed, defensible interpretation of restricting Section 5 discretionary authority.”

Over the summer, multiple Democrats have accused Republicans of supporting a bill that promises more for farmers without a way to pay for it. House Ag Committee Rankding Member David Scott says the CBO score the latest evidence that Republicans have problems with their farm bill. He called on them to return to the negotiating table and work to craft a “truly bipartisan” farm bill.

“Farmers need a farm bill this year and time is running out,” Scott says. “It’s time to stop complaining about CBO. It’s time to stop blaming delays on appropriations. It’s time to stop waiting for the Senate.”

Nothing happening soon

Congressional lawmakers have left D.C. for August recess. Technically it’s the time designated for them to spend time in their home districts. When they return in early September, they will once again be tasked with crafting a budget deal to avoid a government shutdown.

If that sounds familiar, it’s because lawmakers faced the exact same scenario last year. Congress has until Sept. 30 to agree on funding for 12 appropriations packages to keep government agencies running. That’s also the day that the current farm bill extension is set to expire.

Last year, it took multiple extensions to get a 2024 budget deal done. In the process, the 2018 Farm Bill was also extended for a full year. Behind the scenes, the one thing ag Republicans and Democrats agree on is another extension seems almost inevitable at this point.

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Source: FarmProgress

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