Syria. The continuing resolution to keep the federal government funded after September 30. The federal debt-limit ceiling. Immigration . . . and oh, then there's the farm bill. One could change the priority order rank, but the simple fact is that the farm bill has fallen down the list in Washington as Congress came back from its recent five-week recess.

As it sits, the Senate and House are far apart on resolving the matter.

While the Senate has passed its version of the farm bill, authorizing both farm and food spending, the House has only acted on the farm portion and hasn't gathered consensus on how to fund food assistance programs found in the Nutrition Title. That could change this week as House Republicans are counting potential votes with their 34-member majority lead. Majority House Leader Eric Cantor announced the House would consider a nutrition bill the week of September 16. From all accounts, that bill could include $40 billion in cuts over 10 years from food assistance spending.

In order to move the entire farm bill towards a Senate and House conference committee, the House must also appoint members of the conference committee. Then, if passed, the two chambers would have to iron out differences on food assistance spending as the Democratic-controlled Senate only passed cuts of $4 billion over 10 years. If the House passes a bill with $40 billion in cuts and the Senate has $4 billion it may be quite difficult to resolve the matter.

While a one-year extension ended the stalemate last year, the President and the Senate majority have little interest in an extension this year. Both Senate Ag Committee Chairwoman Stabenow (D-Mich.) and Majority Leader Reid (D-Nev.) have stated they oppose an extension. According to Chris Clayton of DTN, "The Agriculture Secretary stressed last week that the Obama administration opposes another extension of the 2008 farm bill even though time is running short as the latest extension ends September 30." USDA recently released a short video with additional comments from Secretary Vilsack. www.youtube.com/usda

As it stands, leadership in the Republican controlled House appears willing to try to pass a nutrition or SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) bill that would potentially include $40 billion in cuts the week of September 16 to 20. That week happens to represent the last week Congress will be in session before the farm bill expires at month's end.

As it stands now, it appears the farm bill issue will slip into October and perhaps months beyond.