Congresswoman McClain Delaney Introduces the FARM SAFE Act to Ensure Disaster Assistance for Producers Remains Uninterrupted During Shutdowns

Oct 13, 2025

Yesterday, Congresswoman April McClain Delaney (D-MD), Maryland’s only voice on the House Agriculture Committee, introduced the Federal Agricultural Relief Maintained during Shutdowns and Federal Emergencies (FARM SAFE) Act, a vital piece of legislation aimed at safeguarding America's producers during government shutdowns and other times of federal uncertainty.

If signed into law, the bill would ensure that essential U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) personnel responsible for administering disaster assistance remain on the job when our agricultural communities need timely support most. The legislation would also shield USDA personnel tasked with providing disaster assistance from mass terminations by the Administration a.k.a. Reductions in Force (RIFs).

This issue is personal for Congresswoman McClain Delaney and Maryland's 6th District. Earlier this year, devastating flash flooding in Western Maryland left many farms heavily damaged. In response, the Congresswoman successfully advocated for additional resources for those impacted though the USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) Emergency Farm Loan program.

Source : house.gov

Video: Midwest Weather Shock: Flash Drought Turns Into Heavy Rain Threat This Week (2026 Forecast)

A rapidly changing Midwest weather pattern is unfolding in 2026 as areas that recently slipped into abnormal dryness and flash drought conditions are now facing the threat of heavy rain and repeated storm systems.

After a wet spring erased early drought conditions, regions across Illinois, Iowa, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and northern Missouri have quickly dried out again since mid-to-late May. Soil moisture is dropping fast, and crops like corn and soybeans are beginning to feel the stress of rising temperatures and lack of consistent rainfall. Now, weather models show a major shift.

A developing system moving in from the Northern Plains is expected to bring multiple rounds of showers and thunderstorms, with the potential for locally heavy rainfall across the Midwest. While some areas may miss out, others could finally see much-needed relief from the growing dryness. In this video, we break down:

Current drought conditions across the Midwest

Why a flash drought is developing quickly

Timing and path of incoming storm systems

Which states are most likely to see heavy rain

How long this wet pattern could last

Will this rain end the drought or create new flooding risks? Watch the full forecast to find out.