Farmers and ranchers are keeping an eye on Washington DC, as a government shutdown looms

“Farmers want to feed people. They want to keep farming. They’re counting on Congress to live up to its obligations.”

Washington is inching closer and closer to a partial government shutdown.

Senate Democrats have said that they will filibuster the Continuing Resolution passed by the House this week.
The American Farm Bureau says that it is counting on lawmakers to make fiscally responsible decisions.

According to AFBF’s Emily Buckman, “If a funding bill is not passed by the end of the week, then the government will go into a shutdown. From our perspective, farmers want to feed people. They want to keep farming. They’re counting on Congress to live up to its obligations. Ensure that government programs, permits, and loans that farmers rely on are available. A shutdown is not good for anyone, and Congress should work together to pass legislation that ensures that there is some certainty moving forward.”

If no progress is made in the next day, a partial shutdown would happen late Friday night. The Farm Bureau explains the impact on farmers and ranchers.

“Farmers will not be able to take out loans, including mortgage loans, crop loans, which help them pay for expenses to grow next year’s crops. A shutdown would impact disaster payments. It would halt new signups for several conservation programs. Again, a government shutdown is not beneficial to anyone, and we hope that Congress can come together and get a bill passed before the 14th hits.”

The Continuing Resolution passed by the House this week keeps spending levels mostly the same and funds the government through September.

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