The measure still faces significant challenges as Democrats demand changes to SNAP provisions.
Read more Iowa’s Republican Senate candidate not attending JD Vance event
Senate Republicans managed to advance a farm bill with Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky) returning to break the deadlock on the Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee.
The panel voted 12-11 along party lines to send the bill, which sets national policy for agriculture and nutrition, to the full Senate.
The bill still faces significant hurdles as Democrats remain opposed, particularly because they say it does not adequately address changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program that would make states take on more of the costs.
The bill requires 60 votes to advance in the full chamber, so it would need some bipartisan support. The current farm bill expires at the end of September, but a majority of the funding for programs in the bill will not run out until the end of the year.
Read more Afghan terrorist gets 20 years for role in deadly 2021 attack at Kabul airport
McConnell returned to the Senate this week after being absent since he was hospitalized in June after what his office said was a fall.
Republicans were unable to advance some key legislation out of the Appropriations and Agriculture committees during McConnell’s absence because of Democratic opposition. Without McConnell, the panels were evenly split between Democrats and Republicans, leaving them deadlocked.
Catch up quickly every weekday morning with a rundown of the 7 most important and interesting stories. Sign up for The 7 newsletter.
Read more Trump’s arch will harm historic sites but must proceed, federal officials say
