By Jamie Martin
An official from the American Farm Bureau (AFB) recently indicated that there may be a chance for temporary farm aid during the upcoming lame-duck session of Congress. This comes after the current stopgap funding bill, which is set to expire in December, failed to include necessary relief for farmers.
Emily Buckman, a representative of AFB’s government affairs, acknowledged the busy schedule lawmakers will face as they work to fund federal agencies fully. The outcome of the upcoming election will also significantly influence Congressional actions.
Despite these challenges, Buckman emphasized the organization’s commitment to advocating for a comprehensive five-year farm bill, stating, “We continue to push for that. Our members want that.” However, she also recognized the possibility that the bill may not be completed by the year’s end, leading to calls for stronger economic and disaster assistance to be included in the final fiscal year 2025 budget.
Buckman mentioned that discussions are ongoing regarding a potential extension of the farm bill, which could create an opportunity for additional temporary assistance. “We do believe that there’s a window for that additional assistance,” she noted, referring to the conversations occurring among commodity groups and lawmakers alike.
Fortunately, with the latest stopgap funding deal in place, the government will not shut down, allowing essential USDA programs to continue operating. The House plans to vote on the stopgap measure midweek, with the Senate following suit. This legislation will extend important programs, including the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program, agricultural credit insurance, rural housing support, and livestock mandatory reporting.
Photo Credit: american-farm-bureau-federation
Categories: National