Senate Returns Next Week, McConnell Expected Back to Vote For Farm Bill

The fate of the farm bill ahead of the midterm elections rests with the expected return next week of Senator Mitch McConnell. McConnell hasn’t publicly announced when he’ll be back for a revote of the farm bill that failed in his absence to advance in committee. But several GOP lawmakers say his staff’s goal is for McConnell’s return when the Senate reconvenes next Monday. Fellow Kentucky Republican and House Oversight panel Chair James Comer told reporters.

Ag Chair John Boozman knew in August when he called up the farm bill for a vote it would likely fail, but he signaled to Democrats, it wouldn’t be the last vote.

McConnell voted by proxy on farm bill amendments but under Senate rules couldn’t do so on the final committee vote. The Senate farm bill, unlike the House-passed version, would green-light year-round sales of E15 gas. Also awaiting Senate action, 12 billion in new farm aid as part of a budget reconciliation bill the House also passed. But to skirt a Democratic filibuster over Iran war funding, that bill has some GOP opponents over its SAVE Act voter ID and citizenship provisions.