House Freedom Caucus Farm Bill Backing Possible, But With Changes

Big attention has been on the House Freedom Caucus and whether the conservative group of House members will back the farm bill approved by the House Ag Committee.Freedom Caucus leader Mark Meadows, R-N.C., said this week that House Agriculture Chairman Mike Conaway, R-Texas, could get the support he needs to pass the farm bill by making several changes that would satisfy GOP conservatives, including making sure expanded food stamp work requirements are more of a "work initiative but not necessarily supporting a jobs program within the USDA."The group of conservative lawmakers plans to offer “several” amendments related to the bill’s work requirements but provided no details. "I don’t know that there’s an overwhelming issue, I think it’s just modifying the existing farm bill to make sure it reflects conservative principles,” Meadows told reporters. “With some modifications I’ll be a yes."As for USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue's meeting with Republicans, he called on them to emphasize the need to help farmers due to the recent rise in trade tensions with China, especially the U.S. soybean industry. House Majority Whip Steve Scalise, R-La., will begin whipping the bill on Wednesday.