Last Thursday, September 20, House Speaker John Boehner announced that there will not be a vote in the House on an extension or reauthorization of the Farm Bill before the elections. The House has adjourned until in November 13 to allow members to return home to campaign. Speaker Boehner and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid have agreed to have both chambers act on the Farm Bill during the lame duck session following the election.
Whether an extension or five year reauthorization of the current Farm Bill will be considered during that time remains to be seen. The announcement by Speaker Boehner leaves the current Farm Bill to expire on September 30, 2012. Conservation programs such as EQIP and CSP will continue through FY14 because the programs were extended as part of the FY12 Consolidated Appropriations Act (P.L. 112-55).