The House of Representatives vote Friday on H.R. 2, the Agriculture and Nutrition Act of 2018, also known as the 2018 Farm Bill, failed to pass with a vote of 198-213. This is the second failed vote in five years. Key issues surrounding immigration and food stamp reforms proved too much a hurdle for some. However, House Ag Committee Chairman Conaway holds out hope they can still deliver a workable farm bill. The Senate continues working on their own version while Republican members of the House regroup.

House Agriculture Committee Chairman K. Michael Conaway, R-TX, issued the following statement on the May 18 House farm bill vote: “We experienced a setback today after a streak of victories all week. We may be down, but we are not out. We will deliver a strong, new farm bill on time as the President of the United States has called on us to do. Our nation’s farmers and ranchers and rural America deserve nothing less.” 

National Cattlemen’s Beef Association Executive Director of Government Affairs Allison Cooke issued the following statement on May 18 in response to the vote: “Today’s vote on the 2018 House Farm Bill is a disappointing outcome for American cattlemen and women. It is unfortunate that some in Congress chose not to stand with the farmers and ranchers who work hard every day to feed families in the United States and around the world. The bill addresses a number of priorities for producers, including an expanded Foot and Mouth Disease vaccine bank, funding for environmental stewardship initiatives, and trade promotion programs. It is critical that Congress pass a new farm bill before Sept. 30 to provide certainty for cattle and beef producers. We will continue to work with our allies in Congress to make that happen.”