Does the Fate of the Farm Bill Lie in Braley's Hands?

Iowa's 1st District Representative Bruce Braley filed a petition to force a vote on the farm bill Thursday; so far he's got 53 signatures.

He needs 218 signatures from representatives — a majority of House reps — in order to force a vote on the farm bill, according to agriculture.com.

But the Democrat faces serious challenges to get the bill to the floor.

The Daily Republic said the petitions have "little history of success." In addition, Braley said House Speaker John Boehner has erected procedures that make getting the bill to the floor even harder.

"Games are being played in Washington, as Speaker Boehner is using all the moves in the procedural playbook to keep the farm bill off the House Floor. He has decided to personally overrule the bipartisan majority of the House Agriculture Committee by keeping the bill bottled up," Braley said to The Hill.

Many Republicans are caught in the middle between supporting Boehner's actions and the farm bill, which is backed by numerous agricultural corporations and interest groups.

Worse yet, Braley will have a hard time selling the bill to his own party, as it includes $16 billion in food stamp cuts.

The current farm bill expires September 30.