(WHTM) — Two years late and counting, that’s how long it’s been since an all-important farm bill expired and congress, while extending it, has not found a permanent solution.

Pennsylvania Republican congressman Glenn “GT” Thompson chairs the House Ag. Committee and he is a key player in the negotiations.

“My projections are, we need to get this farm bill done in the first part of this year,” Thompson said.

But the five-year, $1.5 trillion bill is two years late and Thompson blames politics and Democratic leaders for sabotaging a bipartisan bill that passed his committee.

“Because they were convinced at that time that Joe Biden was going to win reelection and maybe the Democrats were going to take the House,” Thompson said. “Obviously, none of that happened.”

Democrats blame the holdup on Republicans trying to limit the SNAP program. Regardless, Thompson is enthusiastic about new Democratic Ag. Chair’s Senator Amy Klobuchar and Congresswoman Angie Craig, both of Minnesota.

“All the key players are in place so that we can actually get this done,” Thompson said.

And Thompson argues, not just for farmers.

“This will be a farm bill that will serve those who produce food,” Thompson said. “Those who process. And quite frankly, those who consume. Oh, that’s everybody.”

Thompson is the farmer’s best friend but can’t support proposed Trump tariffs.

“I’m always concerned with retaliatory tariffs because it seems like agriculture is where these get placed on,” he said.

He’s also nervous about mass layoffs and buyouts of federal employees.

“These are the folks that know how to be the most productive, the most efficient,” Thompson said. “I actually believe these are people we need encouraged to stick around longer.”

As for the frenzied pace of the president’s first month?

“I call it diplomacy by sledgehammer,” Thompson said. “It really is.”

And Thompson does think that is a good thing.

“It’s amazing what’s been accomplished in a short period of time,” Thompson said. “I also encourage folks to, you know, just take a deep breath when something comes out that gets her attention.”

No pauses for the Ag. chair (Thompson). He’s been all over the U.S. Met with kelp farmers in Maine to grapefruit growers in several states and even helped them harvest. He gave his recommendation for what to try.

“If you get a chance to go after those Texas white grapefruit, they are amazing,” Thompson said.