Kansas Senator Jerry Moran, a critic of Senate Ag Chair Debbie Stabenow, told more than 250 people that he had an optimistic moment after speaking with her on the Senate floor. He points out that Stabenow and other Committee leaders are recognizing just how dire the economic situation is for U.S. farmers and that they can’t wait for Congress to reach an agreement on a five-year farm bill. Along with potentially boosting commodity programs, Moran says Stabenow is trying to find ways to accelerate payments. Currently, payments in the ARC and PLC programs are always a year after harvest. Moran said his agricultural staff suggests that there is growing sentiment on the House side to get something done. House Ag Committee Ranking Member David Scott says farmers he met with asked Congress to consider a two-year ad hoc package that would bolster the safety net for the 2024 and 2025 crop years.