House Agriculture Committee Chairman Frank Lucas, R-Okla., confirmed late tonight that the House-Senate farm bill conference will begin as soon as both houses of Congress are in town at the same time.

Lucas said after the vote on the continuing resolution to fund the government until January 15 that he was looking forward to the conference because “it’s taken me years to get here.”

The Senate is not expected to return to Washington until Monday, October 28.

Congressional aides said the House is expected to be in session from Tuesday through Thursday of next week, although the House leadership has not officially announced the schedule.

“The House leadership seems to be a little exhausted,” Lucas quipped after the difficult vote to pass the continuing resolution.

The continuing resolution passed 284 to 144, with three members not voting.

A total of 87 Republicans joined all 198 Democrats to vote for the resolution. Lucas was one of 144 Republicans who voted against the measure that originated in the Democratic-controlled Senate.

President Barack Obama said he would sign the measure as soon as it comes to his desk. The government can reopen as soon as Obama signs the bill.