On Saturday, December 21, 2024, the President Joe Biden signed into law:
H.R. 10545, the “American Relief Act, 2025”, which provides fiscal year 2025 appropriations to Federal agencies through March 14, 2025, for continuing projects and activities of the Federal Government; provides disaster relief appropriations and economic assistance to farmers; extends the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018; and extends several expiring authorities.
December 21, 2024 Washington, DC
Soirce: WH.gov ,
The American Relief Act, 2025 (H.R. 10545) is a comprehensive legislation that addresses several critical areas of government funding and disaster relief. Here are the key components of the bill:
Government Funding Extension
The act extends federal government funding through March 14, 2025, at fiscal year 2024 levels[2][3]. This continuing resolution (CR) prevents a government shutdown and allows the incoming Congress to set overall spending levels for fiscal year 2025[3].
Disaster Relief and Agricultural Assistance
The legislation provides significant support for farmers and disaster-affected areas:
- $30.78 billion allocated to the Secretary of Agriculture for expenses related to crop losses due to natural disasters in 2023 and 2024[5]
- Up to $2 billion for livestock producers affected by drought, wildfires, and floods in 2023 and 2024[5]
- $10 billion in economic assistance for farmers facing challenges such as high supply costs and low commodity prices[5][8]
Farm Bill Extension
The act extends the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (2018 Farm Bill) for one year[5][12]. This extension ensures the continuation of critical agricultural programs.
Health Care Provisions
The legislation includes short-term extensions for various health-related programs:
- Community health centers
- Telehealth services
- Family-to-Family Health Information Centers (F2F HICs)[2]
Additional Measures
- The bill designates certain appropriations as emergency requirements, in accordance with the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985[7]
- It extends several expiring authorities, though specific details are not provided in the search results[4]
This legislation aims to provide stability in government operations, support disaster recovery efforts, and address pressing economic challenges in the agricultural sector while giving the new Congress time to negotiate full-year funding for fiscal year 2025[3][12].
Citations:
[1] https://sustainableagriculture.net/blog/comment-in-package-to-avert-government-shutdown-congress-picks-winners-and-losers-in-farm-country/
[2] https://amchp.org/2024/12/21/government-shutdown-staved-off-through-march-2025/
[3] https://www.bhfs.com/insights/alerts-articles/2024/shutdown-averted-congress-extends-government-funding-through-march-14
[4] https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/legislation/2024/12/21/press-release-bill-signed-h-r-10545/
[5] https://texasfarmbureau.org/congress-passes-farm-bill-extension-economic-aid-for-farmers/
[6] https://wcbm.com/national-headline/here-is-what-is-included-in-the-american-relief-act-2025-h-r-10545/
[7] https://www.cbo.gov/system/files/2024-12/hr10545_American_Relief_Act_2025.pdf
[8] https://www.fb.org/news-release/farm-bureau-commends-house-for-aid-to-farmers
[9] https://www.afterschoolalliance.org/afterschoolsnack/Appropriations-Update-Continuing-Resolution-to-fund-the_12-19-2024.cfm
[10] https://docs.house.gov/billsthisweek/20241216/ARA%2012.20.pdf
[11] https://www.nasfaa.org/news-item/35320/Congress_Strikes_Deal_to_Avert_Government_Shutdown_and_Fund_the_Government_Through_March_14
[12] https://wfin.com/fox-political-news/president-biden-signs-stopgap-funding-bill-into-law-narrowly-averting-shutdown/
[13] https://sustainableagriculture.net/blog/release-funding-deal-delivers-disaster-relief-but-fails-to-support-farmers-in-building-resilience-against-future-crises/
[14] https://www.foxnews.com/politics/president-biden-signs-stopgap-funding-bill-law-narrowly-averting-shutdown
[15] https://finstad.house.gov/2024/12/finstad-votes-yes-on-american-relief-act-supports-disaster-aid-and-farm-bill-extension