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The House and Senate have voted to pass a bill that avoids a looming government shutdown. The bill, which includes short-term spending, drought disaster aid and a farm bill extension.

“Farm Bureau thanks the House and the Senate for finding common ground and passing legislation that will keep the government open and help farmers who are struggling with natural disasters, high supply costs and out-of-reach interest rates,” said American Farm Bureau president Zippy Duvall. “For many farmers, the disaster relief provided through the CR will be the difference between planting for another year or going out of business.”

Duvall said the economic and disaster assistance in the CR is a temporary fix to long-term challenges facing America’s farmers. The farm bill extension also offers a short reprieve, and gives lawmakers some breathing room to pass a modernized farm bill that will provide risk management support.

“If there was ever a prime example of the impact that Farm Bureau has in the nation’s capital, this is it,” said Bill Patterson, president of Ohio Farm Bureau. “I was able to see, firsthand in Washington, the effective leadership of Farm Bureau at all levels when fighting for policies that are so important to agriculture. From President Duvall working long hours on The Hill, to state Farm Bureau presidents meeting with key lawmakers, to Ohio Farm Bureau staff working directly with our state’s delegation and, most importantly, thousands of members making their voices heard, the power of Farm Bureau was evident in giving farmers the support they need to overcome the challenges of 2024 and the certainty required to plan for a successful 2025.”

The final measure did not include authorization for year-round E-15 sales, which benefits farmers, leads to lower fuel prices, and helps America reach its sustainability goals. This is an initiative Farm Bureau will continue to push for in 2025, according to Duvall, as well as a new, 5-year farm bill.

“We urge them to build on the bipartisan efforts demonstrated during the CR to pass a new five-year farm bill that delivers certainty for rural America and ensures a stable food supply for the nation.”