Influence Alley

Reported with Kelsey Snell

House Republicans began whipping a one-year farm bill extension on Thursday with a plan to bring the bill--which will include drought aid for livestock and fruit and vegetable farmers--for a vote next week.

Agriculture Committee Chairman Frank Lucas of Oklahoma said the short-term option was the most logical way to rush aid to drought-affected farmers and ranchers before the August recess.

"If you're going to provide certainty out in the drought areas if you're going to enable an orderly transition from the completion of the regular farm bill then a one-year makes sense," he said. He added that leadership was on board for the vote as early as Wednesday.

Peterson initially told National Journal that he would only consider an extension if he had a "face-to-face" promise from House leaders that they would allow that extension to be brought into conference with the Senate-passed bill. Otherwise, such a vote would "poison the well" before conference negotiations, he said.