The House of Representatives placed the farm bill back in the court of the Senate, voting to move towards conference.
The voice vote approval paves the way for the Senate to consider similar action so the two chambers can appoint conferees to mend differences between the House and Senate versions of the farm bill.
The House also passed a Democratic motion to instruct conferees to insist on 10-year permanent funding for an animal vaccine program.
That motion passed the House 392 – 20.
The House bill has permanent funding, but the Senate bill has only an authorization for appropriations.
The motion to proceed also makes it possible for the House to appoint conferees.
The Senate must also vote to proceed to conference and appoint conferees. However, when the conference committee will convene remains uncertain, before or after the August recess.
The current farm bill expires September 30th.
