We may just get a farm bill in 2018.

Yesterday, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a very partisan farm bill that makes minor updates to farm programs, creates a vaccine bank for livestock farmers in the U.S., funds our export marketing programs that were going to run out of appropriated funding, and overhauls the food stamp program, diverting some funds to work training for program participants.

The Senate bill still waits for floor time but has some reasonable differences from this House-passed version.  Read more about the Senate bill here.

Here’s what some others had to say about the House 2018 farm bill:

Congressman Rodney Davis: “House passes 2018 Farm Bill. Passing this bill not only shows support for agriculture, but it shows the American people that we are not satisfied with the status quo, which is a welfare system that perpetuates poverty.”

Congresswoman Cheri Bustos: “Washington Republicans just passed a highly partisan Farm Bill that eliminates funding for rural development and conservation programs, takes free school lunches away from 265,000 children and throws one million households off of food assistance. Unlike every previous Farm Bill in my lifetime, this one was done entirely by one party in a backroom with no partnership between Republicans and Democrats. All that being said, the Senate has a much more bipartisan bill which they are expected to vote on over the next few days. I am hopeful that once we get this bill to conference, both sides of the aisle will come together and work to develop a Farm Bill that strips out these highly partisan provisions and instead strengthens our farmers, grows our rural economy and keeps putting food on the plates of Americans across our nation.”

Congressman Mike Bost: “Protecting our agricultural economy is essential to the sustainability of our rural areas,” said Bost. “Illinois’ 12th Congressional District is the most diverse in terms of agriculture in the entire state, and I made it a priority to listen to the 10,000 producers in my district so I knew what they needed most. I’m proud of the provisions I fought to have included in this Farm Bill and will continue moving the ball forward until this legislation is signed into law.”

National Corn Growers Association: “Today’s vote is a big step forward to seeing a new farm bill this year. The House farm bill maintains a robust crop insurance program, ensuring it continues to be a viable risk management tool for farmers across the country.

“Now we will be looking toward the U.S. Senate and possible efforts to further strengthen the farm safety net, making it more equitable for our nation’s corn growers, as they bring the Senate Agriculture Committee’s farm bill to the floor.”

Chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Senator Pat Roberts: “I congratulate Chairman Conaway on successfully navigating his Farm Bill through the House,” Roberts said. “I look forward to working with him and his colleagues in conference once the Senate passes our Farm Bill. Our farmers and ranchers need certainty and predictability. They are counting on us.”

National Cattlemen’s Beef Association: “Today’s vote means that American cattlemen and women are one step closer to having the certainty they need to continue running their operations and contributing to rural economies. We are glad the House-passed bill addresses a number of priorities for producers, including authorization and funding for a national vaccine bank that prioritizes Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) prevention. The bill also strengthens conservation programs and improves USDA’s foreign market development activities. House Agriculture Chairman Mike Conaway and all those who voted ‘yes’ deserve a great deal of thanks for their support.”