Update 11/10/25 8:50 p.m. CST
On Monday evening, the Senate approved a budget deal that would reopen the federal government. The bill passed by a margin of 60 to 40, with eight Democrats joining the Republican majority. Kentucky’s Rand Paul was the lone GOP lawmaker to oppose the resolution. The bill now moves to the House where it is expected to be considered on Wednesday.
“Ending the government shutdown ensures critical USDA services resume so vulnerable families no longer experience disruptions to nutrition benefits, farmers can access the programs and personnel they rely on to keep their operations running efficiently and disaster assistance is delivered,” Senate Ag Committee Chair John Boozman, R-Ark., said in a statement released shortly after the vote. “We advanced long-overdue farm bill policy improvements in the One Big Beautiful Bill, including enhanced risk management tools farmers have been calling for, and we’re continuing work to reauthorize other key initiatives. Extending the farm bill and the U.S. Grain Standards Act gives us more time to finalize these programs essential to farmers, ranchers and rural America.”
________________________________
The U.S. Senate appears to have reached an agreement to end the longest government shutdown in U.S. history. Late Sunday, eight members of the Democratic caucus broke ranks with their party leaders and voted with Republicans to proceed with a GOP-authored bill extending government funding through Jan. 30.
Included in the bill is language extending the 2018 Farm Bill for yet another year. While major farm safety net programs were already addressed in July’s One Big Beautiful Bill, the rest of the farm bill technically expired in October, leaving many programs in limbo.
As part of the proposed budget bill, USDA’s Commodity Credit Corporation fund will be replenished. The Trump administration is considering tapping into that funding as part of a financial relief package for farmers impacted by various hardships this year.
The budget bill includes a provision preventing the unregulated sale of hemp products containing THC. This would close a so-called loophole in that 2018 Farm Bill that has led to some intoxicating products being sold in states where marijuana is illegal. Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., has indicated he may oppose this amendment, fearing that it will harm hemp farmers.
Also included in the bill is an extension of the Grains Standards Act. That bill sets marketing standards for grains and oilseeds, and sets standards for inspections and weighing. Notably, the budget deal only extends the current version of the act. The Senate Ag Committee recently advanced a reauthorization of that bill that would run through 2030. Congress is expected to continue with those efforts.
What happens next?
Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle met this afternoon to plot their next moves. The Senate could formally pass the shutdown-ending legislation by unanimous consent as soon as late today. If that doesn’t happen, senators will then be given time to offer amendments and negotiate over details before a final vote.
Assuming the Senate is able to eventually pass the bill, the legislation will then proceed to the House. If House lawmakers pass the bill as is, it will then go to President Donald Trump for his approval. The House could also make changes to the bill. If that happens, the two congressional chambers would then need to reconcile their differences before a final bill is agreed upon.
Complicating matters, Tuesday is Veterans Day, a federal holiday, potentially delaying the bill’s progress.