The House Agriculture Committee will delay farm bill action until February after the unexpected death of Rep. Doug LaMalfa, R–Calif., and the hospitalization of Rep. Jim Baird, R-Ind.
Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson, R-Pa., had said before the recess that the committee would mark up the farm bill in January. But on Tuesday he said that plan needed to change because the GOP would be short two members on the panel.
“Well, unfortunately, we now have a vacancy on the committee with Mr. LaMalfa, his death today,” Thompson said Tuesday, adding that Baird’s hospitalization added additional uncertainty.
