There was a funding package that had been negotiated by House Leaders- but it now appears to be dead. Republican lawmakers saw their phones light up from angry constituents stirred up by social media posts- especially on X with Elon Musk leading the charge.
President Elect Trump and Vice President Elect JD Vance released a statement on X as well- saying “Republicans want to support our farmers, pay for disaster relief, and set our country up for success in 2025. The only way to do that is with a temporary funding bill WITHOUT DEMOCRAT GIVEAWAYS combined with an increase in the debt ceiling. Anything else is a betrayal of our country.”
They added, “Republicans must GET SMART and TOUGH. If Democrats threaten to shut down the government unless we give them everything they want, then CALL THEIR BLUFF. It is Schumer and Biden who are holding up aid to our farmers and disaster relief. “
Between the portion of disaster assistance that would have been pointed to farmers and ranchers hit by hurricanes, tornadoes and wildfire- plus the economic assistance written into the measure- agriculture had $31 billion ready to be headed for rural America- but now that is very unlikely any time soon.
Another casualty of the demise of the supplemental package is no extension to the expired 2018 Farm Bill. The one year extension of the Law was voted on and approved in September of 2023- with the extended measure expiring this past September 30, 2024.
By midafternoon Wednesday, political news outlets on Capitol Hill were reporting that House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., was looking to drop much of the disaster aid and pass a more stripped-down continuing resolution, or a “clean CR.”
The House Rules Committee, which lays down the rules for floor debates on bills, still had not scheduled a hearing on the CR.
And the Democrats may not support a “Clean CR” if their priorities that they have negotiated for are not in there- which they likely would not be.
House Agriculture Committee Republicans on X posted, “America’s farmers aren’t a political football — they’re the backbone of our nation. They feed, clothe, and fuel us every day.” There will be a lot of pressure not to vote for a “Clean CR” from the ag community with no farm bill elements.
A government shutdown is a very real possibility with the Government running out of money at midnight this coming Friday evening. Farm Broadcast colleague Todd Gleason from Illinois says if the government does shut down- ag faces several things- “If a CR of sort is not passed, the federal government would shut down Monday and stay that way until Congress can come to some new agreement. The new Congress will be sworn in Jan 3. If the shutdown drags on for very long it would cause the Jan 10 USDA reports to be delayed. “
Stay tuned…
