Congress has passed and sent a short-term spending bill to the President that extends government funding until Dec. 11, which includes billions in key funding for agriculture. The temporary spending bill replenishes $30 billion in the Commodity Credit Corporation for farm programs and pandemic relief through the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP).
Many agricultural groups praised passage of the legislation, including the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF). They hope with the government funding debate resolved, Congress and the administration will now agree on another coronavirus relief bill. The House earlier this week released a revised version of its Heroes Act, which again includes important provisions such as a dairy product donation program that would help farmers and consumers. NMPF is continuing its push for additional, equitable support to all producers that reflects the losses they have suffered, no matter the size of the operation.
Without an agreement on regular appropriation bills, a lame-duck Congress will have to face critical funding decisions once again when the temporary spending bill expires Dec. 11.