Final Budget Bill Guts Conservation Funding and Farmer Protections | NESAWG

From NSAC: Late on December 9, Congress released their final annual appropriations bill to keep the government running for the rest of the fiscal year, and while there is some good news, overall it’s bleak news for sustainable agriculture – complete with drastic cuts to critical conservation programs and anti-farmer policy riders that favor big livestock integrators over actual farmers. The bill emerged after a couple of weeks of behind closed doors meetings of House and Senate leadership and appropriations leaders.

The full House is expected to vote on the bill December 11, the day the current continuing resolution keeping the government funded runs out. A very short-term continuing resolution may be needed to fund the government for a day or two to avert a government shut-down and give the Senate a chance to vote. The bill is expected to pass, with votes from both parties, though the vote tallies are expected to be close. The White House has indicated the President will sign the bill.