WASHINGTON – North Dakota’s congressional delegation says a resolution to keep the federal government operating and the Farm Bill in place is a necessary measure while work on the budget continues.

The Senate approved a laddered approach Wednesday to fund the government and provide Congress with additional time to negotiate the 12 appropriations bills. The resolution, previously approved by the House on Tuesday, extends funding in the Agriculture, Energy and Water, Military-Construction/Veterans, Transportation and Housing and Urban Development appropriation bills until Jan. 19 and extends the remaining funding through Feb. 4.

“This legislation will keep the government open while Congress continues working to pass the appropriations bills through regular order,” Sen. John Hoeven, R-ND, said. “The Senate Appropriations Committee has approved all 12 bills, and the full Senate has now passed three of them. We need to get back to regular order so we can fund our priorities, while working to control our debt and deficit. Importantly, the agreement includes a one-year extension of the Farm Bill to ensure that producers have certainty for next year.”

“Passing this continuing resolution gives Congress more time to work through regular order and pass legislation all members had a role in debating and amending, instead of being jammed with a massive, partisan omnibus crafted by only a few. Congress should have finished these bills months ago, but I remain committed to doing the hard work needed to get the job done,” Sen. Kevin Cramer, R-ND, said.

“The passage of this CR means we’ll avoid a government shutdown, pay our service members, extend the farm bill for a year and protect Americans’ hard-earned tax dollars,” Congressman Kelly Armstrong, R-ND, said. “The new 2024 funding deadlines also mean we’ve finally broken the Washington tradition of jamming the American people with a massive omnibus bill at the end of the year. Americans elected our House Republican Majority to counteract the Democrats’ failed agenda and to change the way things work in DC. We can’t miss our opportunity to live up to that mandate.”

The continuing resolution extends the 2018-passed Farm Bill through Sept. 30. This extension maintains existing policy and prevents a reversion to permanent law under the Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1938 and the Agricultural Act of 1949.

“The Farm Bill is an essential piece of legislation for North Dakota,” Cramer said. “Ninety percent of our state’s land is dedicated to farming and ranching, and we lead the nation in the production of a dozen commodities. I am dedicated to the passage of a comprehensive farm bill reauthorization, but this one-year extension is much better than a lapse in programs. The committee now has more time and room to negotiate a complete farm bill, benefitting all of North Dakota’s agriculture community.”

North Dakota Farmers Union President Mark Watne also weighed in on the Farm Bill provision.

“NDFU appreciates Congress’ work to pass an extension of the current farm bill,” he said. “But our elected leaders need to get serious about the work of governing and draft the next farm bill. It’s important not only for farmers and ranchers, but for consumers and our nation’s food security. Farmers need certainty in a farm bill. We will continue to advocate for a strong, bipartisan bill that strengthens the farm safety net, improves disaster programs and establishes farmer-friendly conservation provisions.”