(Washington, D.C.) - The Farm Bill Montana's senior U.S. Senator Max Baucus helped write on the Agriculture Committee cleared the Senate today on a vote of 64-35. As the only member of Montana's Congressional delegation on an Agriculture Committee, Baucus secured several Montana priorities in the bill that aims to shape the nation's farm policy for the next five years. Baucus joined Agriculture Committee leadership for a press conference in the Capitol today following the final vote.

"The Farm Bill is Montana's jobs bill. One out of every five workers in Montana gets their paycheck because of agriculture and today is a victory for them," Baucus told his fellow Senators and onlookers. "It's also a victory for the American taxpayers. Because the Farm Bill we passed cuts our deficits by $23 billion. Now it's time for the House to act so we can get a Farm Bill signed into law and give farmers and ranchers the certainty they need."

The current Farm Bill expires September 30, 2012. The Farm Bill now awaits action in the House of Representatives.

Baucus' Farm Bill will:
• Support 16 million jobs nationwide through programs that support farmers and ranchers, boost trade, and invest in research. One in five Montana jobs is tied to agriculture;

• Cut the deficit by $23 billion, while creating a strong, new risk management program that maintains support for Montana farmers and ranchers in times of disaster; and

• Eliminate more than 100 duplicative programs to make government leaner and more effective, while continuing to invest in Montana priorities like working lands conservation and efforts to fight pine beetle infestation. (Learn more)

Veterans
Baucus included an amendment to the Farm Bill to expand veterans' access to conservation programs while also directing the USDA to set up a military liaison position. The expanded assistance addresses the veteran farmers and ranchers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan hoping to return to rural America and become involved in agriculture. Forty-five percent of those who serve in the military come from rural communities. (Learn more)

Bark Beetle Epidemic
Baucus worked with Senator Tester to include a provision in the Forestry Title of the Farm Bill to stop the spread of the bark beetle epidemic by providing resources and authority to address the problem. (Learn more)