WASHINGTON — An updated score from the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) on Aug. 2 said the House’s drafted farm bill would increase direct spending by $33 billion over the next eight years.

The House bill proposes enhancements to several programs, including the Price Loss Coverage (PLC) and Agriculture Revenue Coverage (ARC) programs — two of the largest programs that would be reauthorized. PLC payments would increase by $34.9 billion, and ARC payments would increase by $9.8 billion. The Dairy Margin Coverage program would increase by $300 million to update milk production amounts eligible for coverage. Additionally, the Federal Crop Insurance Program would increase by $3.5 billion due to administrative and operating funds as well as higher premium subsidies.

Meanwhile, the bill would also cut spending in other areas. Changes to the Thrifty Food Plan would reduce spending by $29.4 billion.

The estimates were met with some dissension from House Agriculture Committee Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson (R-PA).

“Unfortunately, the score relies on the same methodology that has led CBO to underestimate Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) outlays by more than $60 billion over the past seven fiscal years,” he said. “I will continue to work with the Budget Committee and CBO to bring about a clear-eyed, defensible interpretation of restricting Section 5 discretionary authority.”

Critical of the funding required by the House farm bill, Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) released the following statement:

“Today’s score from CBO shows once again that the House Republican proposal is not paid for and relies on magic math and wishful thinking,” she said. “To reach a bipartisan agreement, we need to have a real negotiation on how to pay for our investments in the farm bill.”