Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar says she remains committed to working with Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman John Boozman on a new Farm Bill despite the legislation failing to advance during a committee vote last week.
Klobuchar, the committee’s ranking Democrat, said there are several provisions in the legislation she supports and wants to preserve as negotiations continue.
Among them is a provision allowing the permanent, year-round sale of E15, a gasoline blend containing 15% ethanol. Klobuchar has been a longtime advocate for expanding access to E15, particularly as a way to increase demand for corn and provide additional market opportunities for farmers.
Klobuchar also pointed to several bipartisan amendments approved by the committee that she supports.
However, disagreements remain over changes involving the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP.
Klobuchar is seeking a two-year delay in a requirement that would shift a greater share of the cost of providing SNAP benefits to states and counties. The current Farm Bill proposal includes a one-year delay.
She argues the one-year delay would not put states on equal footing because states with higher SNAP error rates could potentially avoid costs that other states would be required to pay.
Despite the disagreement, Klobuchar said she wants negotiations with Boozman to continue. The committee remains open for additional discussions as lawmakers try to reach an agreement capable of advancing through the Senate.
The Farm Bill establishes federal policy for a wide range of agriculture and nutrition programs, including commodity programs, crop insurance, conservation initiatives and SNAP.