Hoeven Explains Farm Bill Vote Confusion After 12-11 Senate Committee Passage
Updated
Updated · KFGO · Sep 17
Hoeven Explains Farm Bill Vote Confusion After 12-11 Senate Committee Passage
3 articles · Updated · KFGO · Sep 17
Summary
Hoeven’s office said the North Dakota Republican initially thought Wednesday’s Senate Agriculture Committee vote was to overrule the chair, not final passage of the farm bill.
A member’s attempt to reopen the bill for more amendments triggered the confusion, according to communications director Kami Capener, while video showed Hoeven speaking near Chairman John Boozman as Mitch McConnell’s name was called.
McConnell had already indicated an "aye" vote on final passage by the time Hoeven realized what the committee was voting on, the statement said.
The farm bill advanced on a 12-11 party-line vote, drawing added scrutiny because McConnell had been away from Washington for 92 days while recovering from a fall and pneumonia.