After much uncertainty and plenty of drama, Congress delivered a budget deal that includes $10 billion in financial assistance to farmers and ranchers. The continuing resolution passed late Friday extends the 2018 Farm Bill another year and includes more than $20 billion in disaster aid for farmers. Incoming Senate Agriculture Committee Chair John Boozman says the bill’s economic assistance will provide critical relief to hardworking farm families struggling to maintain their family farms.

“Helping American producers endure the current farm crisis and preserve their operations is necessary for healthy rural communities that desperately need the certainty and predictability of a five-year farm bill,” Boozman says. “I’m pleased Congress worked together to deliver this aid to the men and women who feed and clothe us all.”

Lawmakers appeared to have a deal for agriculture aid late Tuesday as part of a bipartisan agreement avoiding a government shutdown. That bill was panned by anti-spending Republicans, notably Elon Musk, who argued it included too much additional government spending. By Wednesday night, President-elect Trump publicly condemned the deal, causing House Speaker Mike Johnson to pull the plug on a scheduled vote. Trump also called on Congress to suspend the debt ceiling, which caps how much the federal government can borrow.

On Thursday, Republicans introduced a streamlined budget extension which would have suspended the debt ceiling until January 2027. That measure failed by 174-235, with 34 for Republicans joining nearly all Democrats in opposition.

Facing a partial government shutdown deadline, Johnson returned with another continuing resolution that did not include the debt ceiling suspension. That bill cleared the House by a 366 to 34 margin. Republicans cast all 34 votes against the continuing resolution. Texas Democrat Jasmine Crockett voted “present.”

The Senate passed the bill 85-11 early Saturday morning. President Joe Biden signed it into law shortly thereafter. While the bill technically passed after the partial shutdown deadline, government agencies were not affected by the delay.

Lawmakers now have until March 14 to pass a full 2025 budget. They will also likely need to consider the debt ceiling sometime this spring when the government will need to raise the debt limit to meet its financial obligations. President-elect Trump had hoped to have the issue settled before he is inaugurated, but Democrats were not inclined to help him given the circumstances.

The farm bill is now scheduled to expire on Sept. 30, 2025.

American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall said he was grateful House agriculture committee leaders and lawmakers from both parties did not give up negotiating to help agriculture. He also commended Trump for weighing in with strong words of support for farmers.

Duvall added he was disappointed the final deal did not include authorizing year-round E15 sales. That language had been part of the first budget deal Trump killed earlier in the week. Duvall says the issue will be a top priority in 2025.