Congress Faces Impasse Over Farm Aid Bill

As Congress approaches a December 21 deadline to pass a stopgap spending bill, negotiations have stalled over economic aid for farmers, with $12 billion in assistance potentially on the line. House Speaker Mike Johnson is under pressure from both farm groups and GOP members from agricultural districts to include this aid, but talks broke down over the weekend, complicating the funding package. The Democrats are pushing for additional conservation funding from the Inflation Reduction Act, which Republicans have resisted. Key agricultural leaders emphasize that failing to include aid could have devastating effects on farmers and rural communities. The situation remains tense as both parties seek to either reach a compromise or risk a government shutdown. With the stakes high, lawmakers are scrambling to find a resolution amidst growing discontent from agricultural constituencies.