Funding the Government Fundamental For Ag Programs

Congress has until the end of this week to fund the federal government before the current continuing resolution expires.  R.J. Karney, budget adviser with the American Farm Bureau says the only certainty in Washington D.C. is that there is always uncertainty.

“Uncertainty is never good for any business, and agriculture where farmers and ranchers, they’re business owners they’re making decisions on a day to day basis, and what happens in Washington has a direct impact on their daily decisions.”

Several new programs have been delayed while existing programs have not been expanded, making producer decisions much harder.  Karney said the clock is ‘ticking’ for Congress and the president to resolve immigration and a host of other issues, all while trying to get the votes needed to fund the government.

“When you continuously kick the can down the road and pass continuing resolutions it’s problematic that it doesn’t allow Department of Agriculture and other federal agencies from being able to utilize money for new programs that that could be beneficial for farmers and ranchers for rural communities.”

House and Senate Ag spending bills which hinge on a budget deal, do things including protect the FSA and USDA farm loan programs, keep open national Ag laboratories.  Further budget delays could also slow action on a disaster assistance package that won House, but not Senate approval, and has fixes for cotton and dairy programs that are key for doing a new farm bill.

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