As the 118th Congress comes to a close, lead negotiators seem unlikely to reach a deal on agriculture economic assistance for farmers.

As farmers continue to deal with economic hardship from natural disasters, rising inflation, and low commodity prices, Congress is not stepping up to the plate to adequately address the needs of farmers, ranchers, and rural communities. Negotiations have failed to address the recession hitting farms and ranches around the country.

While we do anticipate disaster assistance in a separate bill, we understand that economic assistance, a fix for proposition 12, or farm bill orphan programs are likely to be left out of a one-year extension of a farm bill.

Therefore, the American Farm Bureau Federation is requesting you tell your Congressional delegation to VOTE NO on any end of year funding bill if it fails to include much needed economic assistance for farmers.

Votes on the bill are expected before Congress adjourns on or about December 20.