The Department of Agriculture says many of its activities will continue, despite no farm bill. The expiring farm bill, with no new legislation in place, means the department will operate without a farm bill until Congress can move new legislation later this year. USDA Undersecretary for Farm Production and Rural Conservation Bill Northey explains the short-term outlook:
He says there are carryover authorities to allow USDA to operate most of the agency’s activities, and an announcement will be coming soon on the impacts:
Despite the differences in the Senate and House versions of the next farm bill, Northey says congressional staffers and leadership of the farm bill committee are committed to getting a new farm bill in place:
The expectation is that Congress will pass the next farm bill following the midterm elections, during a lame-duck session in November or December.