High Priority and Highly Motivated: Sen. Moran is optimistic that new Farm Bill discussions will happen soon

“I think there’s a lot of embarrassment that the Farm Bill didn’t get done when it should have last year...”

The 119th Congress has its hands full when it comes to its long list of action items considered a priority.

Senator Jerry Moran recognizes that agriculture needs are included in that list, with crop insurance top of mind.

According to Sen. Moran, “If you ask a farmer in Kansas, what’s the most important thing the federal government does in regard to farming your operation? It’s crop insurance. And that gives us the chance that young farmers can farm. It allows a farmer to go to his or her banker and have a conversation that in bad times I’m still going to have income that can pay back a loan and crop insurance will be a major and significant, in fact, a high priority that— perhaps the highest priority for me and making sure that crop insurance is protected during the debate, the discussion, and the passage of a Farm Bill.”

In terms of a timeline for the next Farm Bill, the senator says that he expects movement on the legislation to be fast.

“I think the Senate is ready to move and ready to move in the first few months of the new session,” Sen. Moran adds. “And the question is, ‘Will the House be able to follow us or come alongside to get a House bill done, to get a Farm Bill done in the House early?’ And, a lot of interest in doing this. I think there’s a lot of embarrassment that the Farm Bill didn’t get done when it should have last year, and so, there’s a real will of making certain— a desire to make certain we get it done early in 2025.”

The 119th Congress is now just days into its term. Senate leader John Thune, who also sits on the Ag Committee, has said the Farm Bill is a priority.