The House approved a funding bill and disaster aid package on Dec. 20 to avoid a government shutdown.

By Natalie Willis, Reporter, Valley Ag Voice 

On Dec. 20, Congress approved a Continuing Resolution — American Relief Act, 2025 — to avoid a government shutdown and extend the 2018 farm bill for the second time since it expired on Sept. 30, 2023.  

In his opening remarks and introduction of H.R. 10545, Republican Representative Tom Cole explained that the bill provides continuing appropriations to keep the government open and operating through March 14, 2025.  

Cole further explained that reaching a final agreement on the 2025 fiscal year’s spending bills would provide President-elect Donald Trump an opportunity to participate in the process. On Dec. 21, the Senate passed H.R. 10545 by a vote of 85 to 11.  

President Joe Biden signed the spending bill following the Senate vote. 

CONTINUING RESOLUTION  

The American Relief Act, 2025 extends the 2018 farm bill to Sept. 30, 2025, and provides $10 billion in economic assistance to farmers.  

“In the wake of many natural disasters and a difficult farm economy, our farmers and ranchers are in dire need of economic assistance,” Cole said. “While there is still a long road ahead for recovery efforts and rebuilding, this aid will mark a vital step forward and will help preserve family farms and ranches across the country while also continuing to ensure food and agricultural security for our nation.” 

The CR extends agricultural programs and authorities provided under the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 and related laws with the general extension of these programs, but discretionary programs depend on funding availability.  

Along with the extension of certain agricultural programs, the bill allocates $30.78 billion to the Secretary of Agriculture for disaster assistance related to the loss of revenue, quality, or production of crops due to droughts, wildfires, hurricanes, and other natural disasters for calendar years 2023 and 2024. 

With new lawmakers expected to be sworn in on Jan. 3, 2025, House Committee on Agriculture Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson anticipates the passage of a new five-year farm bill. 

“Looking ahead to the 119th Congress, I hope to move quickly to enact a five-year farm bill that aligns the farm safety net with the needs of producers, among many other policies, to minimize the need for annual economic aid,” Thompson said in a press release

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