The House and Senate each passed their own versions of the 2018 Farm Bill. The Senate version includes Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s Hemp Farming Act, which would permanently legalize hemp and popular hemp-derived products like cannabidiol (CBD). The House version was silent on hemp.
For the past few months, a House/Senate conference committee has been meeting to resolve the differences between the two bills. A key issue in debate is whether to increase work requirements on the collection of food stamps.
In an unprecedented move, Leader McConnell appointed himself to serve on the conference committee. In that role, he publicly guaranteed that the final Farm Bill would include his hemp provisions.
The top leadership (the “Big Four”) of the House and Senate Agriculture Committees – Senate Chairman Pat Roberts (R-KS), Senate Ranking Member Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), House Chairman Mike Conaway (R-TX) and House Ranking Member Colin Peterson (D-MN) — have been meeting regularly behind closed doors to iron out differences. Chairman Roberts announced last week that he thought a deal might be reached today.
Once the deal is reached, it must be brought to the full House/Senate Conference Committee for a vote. Passage is very likely because the Big Four will have consulted deeply with their colleagues before reaching a compromise.
After the conference committee adds its stamp of approval, the consensus Farm Bill will go to the floors of the House and Senate for their votes.
After the House and Senate pass the bill, it goes to President Trump’s desk for his signature
