McConnell Absence Threatens Farm Bill Markup Ahead of August Recess

Senate Republicans face a risk of stalling the long-awaited farm bill as Mitch McConnell’s hospitalization leaves them short of votes for a party-line markup, with Boozman aiming to mark up before the August recess while Democrats demand a SNAP cost-share delay and seek farm aid totaling about $20 billion via reconciliation; the updates also note Darline Graham’s swearing-in to Lindsey Graham’s seat and ongoing floor battles over immigration, defense, and budget reconciliation in both chambers.