Blue Wave, New Farm Hands in Washington

Washington is getting a new set of farm hands. After Tuesday’s midterms, Democrats are positioned to control both chambers of Congress, while producers are still waiting for something considerably more useful than another campaign slogan.

Changing seats: Upsets in agricultural states, including Iowa, Kansas, Texas and Ohio, scrambled the political map. With Democrats taking the House and Senate, leadership assignments on key committees are set for a shake-up.

Big boots to fill: Senator Amy Klobuchar, the top Democrat on the Senate Agriculture Committee, won Minnesota’s governor race and is leaving Congress. Her exit adds another wrinkle to deciding who will steer farm legislation and oversight when the new Congress convenes.

Veto season: President Donald Trump will still hold the veto pen. That sets up a potential collision between the new majority’s priorities and the White House, with negotiations likely to be essential for any major agricultural deal.

Farm bill limbo: There is still pressure to move legislation that has been stuck in Washington’s political machinery. New committee chairs could change the starting positions, but neither party can wave away disagreements about costs, conservation and safety nets. Farmers probably wish Congress came with a service manual.

Why it matters: Committee leadership shapes hearings, funding debates and which bills even get a vote. Rural America helped change the lineup. Now it needs lawmakers to harvest some results instead of growing a fresh crop of talking points.