McConnell's absence derails Senate Agriculture Committee's farm bill vote

The Senate Agriculture Committee’s attempt to approve the farm bill failed on Thursday, largely due to Sen. Mitch McConnell’s continued absence after a June fall. Chairman Sen. John Boozman sought to send the sweeping legislation, which includes agriculture and food assistance reforms, to the Senate floor before the August recess, but could not bridge a dispute over food-stamp funding changes. Republicans proposed a one-year deferment of state cost-sharing, whereas Democrats insisted on a two-year delay, labeling the Republican offer insufficient.

Neither McConnell’s vote nor Sen. Tommy Tuberville’s proxy was counted, and all 11 Democratic committee members opposed the bill. The defeat lowers the likelihood of reaching a bipartisan agreement before the September reconvening, and the remaining time before the November elections appears insufficient for another vote and subsequent House-Senate reconciliation.