Peterson Sees Trouble for Farm Bill

Former House Agriculture Committee Chair Collin Peterson voiced skepticism about the path forward for the next farm bill, warning that political gridlock could stall the legislation. Speaking at the Midwest Ag Summit in West Fargo, Peterson said disagreements over non-ag provisions are overshadowing core farm policy. “I’d say September at the earliest,” said Peterson. “And I think there’s a possibility this may fail, not over farm policy, but the SALT (State and Local Tax deduction) thing, for example.” Peterson pointed to resistance from lawmakers in states like New York who have taken strong positions on unrelated tax provisions, adding that debate in the agriculture committees has been effectively shut down.