DES MOINES, IA - During a visit to Des Moines, Iowa, Sen. Chuck Grassley voiced concerns about the limited time Congress has to pass a new Farm Bill before the end of the year.
"With two weeks in November and three weeks in December that we're in session, it just doesn't seem to me that we have the time to do it," Grassley said.
The Farm Bill funds federal programs that support farmers and provide food assistance nationwide.
Negotiations on a new bill stalled earlier this year, and the most recent Farm Bill extension has expired.
While there is money to keep farming programs running through the rest of the year, Grassley emphasized the urgency for Congress to reach an agreement soon.
Grassley, a Republican, said he prefers the Farm Bill to be developed in committee rather than through proposals created by leaders outside of committee.
The senator also called for improvements to crop insurance, protection for Iowa's pork producers and a funding cap on larger single-family farms.