WASHINGTON, July 9, 2013 – House Republican leaders are actively searching and pushing for votes for a five-year farm bill (H.R. 1947), which they hope to get back on the floor this week.

While it is unclear what might be different from the Federal Agriculture Reform and Risk Management Act that failed June 20, on a 195-234 vote, the effort to whip votes and get the legislation moving is a significant sign of progress. Leader Eric Cantor has expressed a willingness to see if there are sufficient votes to split the farm and nutrition portions of the farm bill - a move vehemently opposed by most major farm groups. 

House Democrats railed hard against proposed cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), while several House Republicans wanted deeper cuts.

During a Tuesday vote series, leaders are expected to do a whip check, according to Congressional sources. House Republicans are expected to meet Wednesday to discuss a plan on immigration, but they also are likely to discuss the farm bill.

What comes out of Wednesday’s GOP meeting could lead to Thursday floor action on the farm bill, according to an alert obtained by Agri-Pulse. 

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