In the News

Congress last week passed a stopgap funding bill that temporarily averts a looming partial federal government shutdown just days before Christmas and weeks before President-Elect Donald Trump assumes office. The deal, which was passed with overwhelming bipartisan support, includes supplemental funding for farmers as lawmakers continue to battle over a new Farm Bill.

The law, titled the American Relief Act, includes a one-year extension of the Farm Bill. It's the second yearlong extension of the 2018 Farm Bill, which expired again in September. Congress typically passes a new Farm Bill every five years to fund support for farmers, nutrition programs, conservation and more.

President Biden signed the package into law Saturday.

The new Farm Bill extension includes $10 billion for one-time emergency payments to farmers dealing with low commodity prices and high input costs, Iowa Public Radio reported. It also includes billions in relief funding for farmers who have experienced losses related to natural disasters in the last two years.

U.S. Rep. Jodey Arrington, R-Lubbock and chairman of the House Budget Committee, praised the House passage of the funding bill and farm relief.

"Without passing emergency Farm Bill supplemental funding to address the catastrophic effects of historic drought and record inflation, we threaten our food supply, jeopardize our young farmers, and put entire rural communities at risk," Arrington said in a statement. "As Budget Chairman, I’m proud to have worked with Speaker (Mike) Johnson and my colleagues to ensure these necessary resources were a part of any year-end funding bill."

"Going forward, it is imperative for farmers and taxpayers alike that we move away from un-budgeted, ad hoc emergency spending by fixing the Farm Bill’s broken safety net," Arrington continued.

In a separate statement, Speaker of the House Mike Johnson applauded Arrington for his role in delivering the farm relief.

"House Republicans have been committed to providing relief to farmers throughout this entire process, and because of the leadership of people like Jodey Arrington, we have delivered," Johnson said. "Texas farmers can rest easy knowing Chairman Arrington is looking out for their best interests."