Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., in January re-introduced the Senate-passed version of the five-year farm bill, calling it a “revolutionary piece of legislation,” according to an Agri-Pulse article.

Reid said on the Senate floor that he plans to take up the bill, but he did not give a timetable.

Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., said Reid considers the farm bill as “one of several privileged, top priority bills.”

Stabenow said, “Last year we were able to pass a farm bill with overwhelming bipartisan support, saving more than $23 billion in taxpayer money and reforming farm bill programs to be more cost-effective and market-oriented. Unfortunately, the House didn’t bring the farm bill to the floor.”

Stabenow said the committee will mark up a bill “as soon as possible.”

The Senate approved the Agriculture Reform, Food and Jobs Act (S.2340) on June 21, 2012. The legislation Reid introduced will be used as a placeholder for whatever language comes out of the committee.

House Agriculture Committee Chairman Frank Lucas (R-Okla.) also expressed his commitment to a long-term bill, saying in a statement that, “As we renew efforts to complete a five-year comprehensive farm bill, I pledge to work with the Secretary [of Agriculture], my House and Senate colleagues, and all interested parties to advance a fiscally responsible, reform-minded, and balanced farm bill this year.”