House Approves Continuation, Reimburses CCC

The House voted Tuesday to extend federal funding through mid-December, meaning the threat of a government shutdown wont be completely addressed until after the presidential election. The bipartisan vote came shortly after top Democrats and Republicans agreed to a reimbursement of the Commodity Credit Corporation, providing billions of dollars for the farming sector. Funds from the CCC support farm programs ranging from conservation to risk management.

The following statement may be attributed to American Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall:

“We applaud Chairman Peterson and Ranking Member Conaway for their leadership, and House lawmakers for putting aside their differences to address the hardships being felt by America’s farmers and ranchers. For years, funding the CCC has been a bipartisan commitment. While we were disappointed it recently became a political flashpoint, we are pleased lawmakers on both sides of the aisle recognize that these funds help to sustain conservation programs and stock America’s pantry. I would be remiss if I did not also thank the Farm Bureau members across the country who let their elected leaders know how important the farm safety net is to the future of U.S. agriculture. We are grateful farmers’ voices were heard.”

National Farmers Union President Rob Larew also released a statement following Tuesday's vote:

"The last thing farmers and rural Americans need right now, on top of the pandemic and everything else, is a government shutdown. We are relieved that the House has come to an agreement on a stopgap funding bill that would prevent such a shutdown, and we hope that the Senate will follow their lead. In particular, we urge them to adopt the House's provisions that would help hungry families and schoolchildren access food, offer Congressional oversight of farm assistance spending, and prevent oil corporations from taking advantage of Commodity Credit Corporation funds."

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