Senate Agricultural Committee Senator Debbie Stabenow released the text of a comprehensive farm bill, the Rural Prosperity and Food Security Act. Stabenow hopes to pass it before retiring at the end of this Congress.

The 1,397-page bill aims to support agricultural and rural communities, focusing on farm sustainability, food security and climate-smart practices.

The bill includes $39 billion in new resources to keep farmers farming, families fed and rural communities strong. It allows farmers to plan for the future with the certainty of a 5-year farm bill. A key provision includes enhancing the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

The bill includes $20 billion to strengthen the farm safety net by increasing reference prices and making crop insurance more affordable for beginning, underserved and small farmers. It would establish a permanent disaster relief structure that speeds up assistance to farmers.

The bill also addresses climate change, allocating funds to conservation programs under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). It also allocates $8.5 billion to help families make ends meet and improve access to nutrition assistance. In rural areas, $4.3 billion would be invested to improve rural healthcare, childcare, education and broadband access.

Stabenow’s push comes at a time with a Republican-controlled government set to take control in 2025. Congress has a lot to do before it adjourns and the prospects of passing the farm bill appear slim.

Read more about the Rural Prosperity and Food Security Act here.