Congress has less than two weeks to act before the current farm bill expires.
That could leave dozens of federal program in limbo, affecting everything from crop insurance to food aid for the poor.
Spending on food aid is one of the reasons that House Republican leaders have refused to call the measure for a vote.
U.S. Senator Dick Durbin is among many farm-state politicians - from both parties - who have been critical of that decision.
"There is a Tea Party group in their Republican caucus that is hell-bent on eliminating nutrition programs and food-stamp programs at a time when many working families are struggling to keep groceries on the table."
House Republicans passed a more limited, temporary measure mainly intended to help livestock producers. But Democrats, and many farm-state Republicans, say it's not enough.