Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s decision to put himself on the farm bill conference committee was insurance that one of his policy priorities — and a key issue for his 2020 re-election campaign — would make it to President Donald Trump’s desk this year.
“At a time when farm income is down and growers are struggling, industrial hemp is a bright spot of agriculture’s future,” McConnell said Tuesday morning. “My provision in the farm bill will not only legalize domestic hemp, but it will also allow state departments of agriculture to be responsible for its oversight.”
The Senate then acted quickly, voting 87-13 in the afternoon to adopt the conference report. It now heads to the House, which could pass it as early as Wednesday and then send it to Trump for his signature.
The leaders of the Senate Agriculture Committee, who led the conference negotiations on the bill on behalf of the chamber, praised the efficient passage as senators seek to complete their remaining work for the 116th Congress.
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“We are thrilled to report the U.S. Senate has acted to give certainty and predictability to rural America,” Kansas Republican Pat Robertsand Michigan Democrat Debbie Stabenow said.“This is the mark of a good bill. We urge our colleagues in the House of Representatives to pass this conference report quickly.”
‘Real advantage’
When at home in Kentucky, McConnell has regularly visited hemp farmers and processing facilities, often stressing to critics that industrial hemp comes from a different plant from marijuana. His leadership role in securing legal status for the potentially lucrative cash crop is sure to come up over and over again.
“My being in the majority leader position is a real advantage to Kentucky. It gives us a chance to kind of punch above our weight,” McConnell said in an interview that aired over the weekend. “This opportunity for Kentucky produces things like the legalization of industrial hemp.”
McConnell will no doubt use the hemp policy and any financial benefits that come to Kentucky farmers over the next two years as a recurring campaign theme in appearances and TV ads, as part of his emphasis on Kentucky-based issues.
