Obama: Congress Needs To Pass Farm Bill

Congress has been getting a lot of pressure from rural states to take action on the current farm bill proposal and now the President is getting in on the action.

President Barack Obama spoke out this week on the farm bill debate, calling on lawmakers to approve new farm and food policy.

Speaking publicly at a White House Rural Council meeting, Obama outlined steps being undertaken by the USDA to help farmers and ranchers facing drought.

"Congress needs to pass a farm bill," the President said. "That new legislation is the single-best way that we can help rural communities both in the short term and in the long term."

USDA announced on Tuesday an additional $30 million would go toward programs helping producers in drought.