(Editor’s Note: The Farm Bill appeared in the headlines throughout 2018, including within the walking horse industry as an attempt was made earlier this year to include language in the bill that would have affected the walking horse industry. At large, the bill is not specifically related to the industry and the prior attempt to include language about the walking horse industry into the legislation was done so by critics of the industry. At the time, the Farm Bill failed to pass, and news that summarizes this is even included in the current issue of the Walking Horse Report. Today, however, the Farm Bill passed — without any amendments, such as those earlier this year, related to the walking horse. Below is a news release issued today about the passing of the Farm Bill, which as it stands, can be generalized as being a noncontroversial piece of legislation.)

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue today hailed the passage of the 2019 Farm Bill.  The House of Representatives approved the conference report on the bill this afternoon, following the Senate’s passage yesterday.
 
Perdue issued the following statement:
 
“The passage of the 2019 Farm Bill is good news because it provides a strong safety net for farmers and ranchers, who need the dependability and certainty this legislation affords.  This Farm Bill will help producers make decisions about the future, while also investing in important agricultural research and supporting trade programs to bolster exports.  While I feel there were missed opportunities in forest management and in improving work requirements for certain SNAP recipients, this bill does include several helpful provisions and we will continue to build upon these through our authorities.  I commend Congress for bringing the Farm Bill across the finish line and am encouraging President Trump to sign it.”