Kaptur Votes To Avert Government Shutdown, Advance American Relief Act  to Senate

Washington, DC – Today, Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09) a senior Member of the House Appropriations Committee voted to pass the American Relief Act, 2025, to avert a shutdown of the federal government and extend assistance to Ohio farmers, producers, and growers after a season with severe drought conditions and crop loss. The bill passed the House by a vote of 366 to 34, and will now move to the Senate for passage, before heading to the President’s desk to be signed into law.

“Tonight I voted to keep our government open, and to help the people I represent across our region of Northwest Ohio. Whether it is farmers that need help due to a season of exceptional drought, Americans suffering from disasters including tornados and hurricanes, or those in need of help putting food on the table, we delivered.” said Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09). “While this only extends funding through March of next year, I will continue to push for full funding of programs that make life easier for the hardworking people of Northwest Ohio. I am glad we were able to get this done so that everyone traveling this holiday season can be with family and friends and ensure that our troops will not have to miss a paycheck. I also remain disappointed by the removal of key negotiated provisions for year round nationwide E-15 fuel sales, funding for childhood cancer research, other key health measures including PBM Reform, my own bill which ensures health coverage follows children in military families wherever they go, and efforts that would block maligned investment and Chinese influence. A return to regular order, where we pass all 12 regular Appropriations bills to fund our government on-time and in-budget, would be a real gift for the American people going forward. Absent that this year, we did what we were able with extremists and outsized egos trying to manipulate the process."

The legislation includes key provisions including:

• A clean 1-year extension of the Farm Bill through September 2025
• $100 Billion in disaster relief funding, including:
  • $1.5 Billion for Corps of Engineers 
  • $74 Million for the Bureau of Reclamation
  • $64 Million for the Department of Energy
• $31 Billion in Farm Aid, including:
  • $10 Billion for farmers crop losses due to drought conditions
  • $2 Billion for producers of livestock
• Clean extension of health programs
  • Special diabetes program
  • Telehealth flexibility
  • Medicare dependent hospital programs
• No extension of the debt limit
• No cost of living raise for Members of Congress

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