AUDIO: Rep. Eric Sorensen
A member of the U.S. House Ag Committee says he’s disappointed the Senate Ag Committee was unable to pass the farm bill last week.
Congressman Eric Sorensen says the legislation would provide certainty and expanded agricultural markets through things like nationwide, year-round E15.
“I was really excited, championing year-round E15, and then to see it in the final bill, and then to see it languish…,” he says.
John Williams, a specialty crop producer in eastern Illinois who also serves as chair of the Illinois Farmers Union advisory committee, says the farm safety net needs an update.
“I’ve almost been farming longer than we’ve had an up-to-date farm bill on the table.” He says, “Getting one that’s not just passing status quo, really pushing to have a farm bill that addresses the needs of today is important.”
Sorensen tells Brownfield, “I want to get a farm bill that is a bipartisan farm bill that I can vote for, and I’m frustrated that that’s not going to happen.” He says, “And now going forward, we’re going to lose the legislative days to get it done.”
Despite the tight calendar, Sorensen says he does remain optimistic that Senate leadership can utilize the three weeks of session in September to find a way forward for the legislation.
