The Republicans have a slim nine-vote margin in the House. In the Senate, the Democrats have a two-vote majority. In an interview with the Red River Farm Network, Minnesota Senator Tina Smith was asked how big issues, like immigration or the farm bill, will happen. “You mention immigration which has been such a challenge,” said Smith. “People feel really impatient because there is such a need to address the shortage of workers in farm country. I’m not going to sugarcoat it, it will be hard to get something done here with such a divided government.” Smith said the farm bill is traditionally a bipartisan piece of legislation and that leaves room for optimism. “The farm bill is one of two or three ‘must-pass’ bills for 2023, it has to get done and we can’t let it go unauthorized.” Smith is a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee and chairs the Subcommittee on Commodities, Risk Management and Trade.
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