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Senate Votes to Invoke Cloture on 2013 Farm Bill

Jun 06, 2013

The Senate this morning voted 75-22 to invoke cloture on the farm bill. The vote sets up a vote Monday on final passage of the 2013 Farm Bill in the Senate. The American Soybean Association (ASA) joined more than 100 like-minded agricultural organizations yesterday in a letter to Senators urging the invoking of cloture.

By invoking cloture, the Senate will not allow any additional amendments to the bill, and all amendments already filed will have to be germane (or directly related) to the bill. The motion also limits debate on the bill to 30 hours.

According to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.), the Senate will vote on final passage of the farm bill on Monday at 5:30 EDT. As reported earlier, Agriculture Committee Chairwoman Stabenow and Ranking Member Cochran continue to pursue a pared-down list of amendments to the final bill, which could come up as a package of amendments to be voted on or agreed to by unanimous consent before final passage on Monday.

ASA will keep members informed as to which amendments are included, and ASA’s position on those related to the soybean industry.