Waco, TX – In a critical move to avert a federal government shutdown, Congress passed a last-minute spending package late Friday that included an extension of the 2018 US Farm Bill. The extension will keep key provisions of the bill in place until next September, providing crucial support for farmers across the country, particularly those in Texas.
Congressman Pete Sessions, who played a key role in advocating for the extension, called the decision “good news for farmers.” He explained that without the passage of this bill, farmers and ranchers who rely on loans to prepare for the upcoming year could face serious financial difficulties. “If we didn’t pass these provisions, some farmers and ranchers who get loans to prepare for the coming year wouldn’t be able to,” Sessions said.
In Texas alone, the extension is expected to direct more than $3 billion in support to the state’s agricultural sector, which encompasses over 230,000 farms and ranches. The Texas Farm Bureau, a key organization in the state, worked extensively in Washington, D.C., to advocate for the bill’s passage, underscoring the importance of maintaining these vital financial provisions. Sessions noted that, without this support, many farmers would struggle to secure loans from banks. “Without the money, bankers would turn down loans,” he explained.
Sessions also touched on broader concerns about the rising costs of mandatory spending, which he argued is growing at a rate that outpaces other areas of government spending. He warned that unchecked spending could pose a threat to the country’s financial stability. “Spending is destructive to America’s future,” Sessions stated, adding that the nation must remain vigilant in addressing fiscal challenges.
Despite concerns over rising expenses, Sessions expressed optimism about the country’s ability to overcome its struggles. “We live in the greatest country, but even great countries go through struggles, and they solve those,” he remarked. “That’s what happened in November. America saved America.”
The 119th Congress is set to reconvene on January 3rd, where lawmakers will face key decisions, including the election of a new Speaker of the House.
