The U.S. Senate today passed the long-overdue 2012 Farm Bill by a vote of 68-32.
According to Senate Agriculture Committee Chair Debbie Stabenow, the Agricultural Act of 2014 will “reform agriculture programs, reduce the deficit, and help farmers, ranchers and business owners grow the economy.”
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack says the bill includes “meaningful reform and billions of dollars in savings for the taxpayer. While no legislation is perfect, this bill is a strong investment in American agriculture and supports the continued global leadership of our farmers and ranchers.”
During a press call today on a separate topic, Vilsack was asked what USDA will do first when the farm bill is finalized. Listen to or download his comments here: Vilsack on Farm Bill Implementation