Last week the Senate passed the Family Farmer Bankruptcy Clarification Act of 2017. The measure co-sponsored by Senators Chuck Grassley of Iowa and Al Franken of Minnesota will make it easier for farmers to reorganize debts when facing bankruptcy. South Dakota Farmers Union President Doug Sombke says having this streamlined measure in place will assist those producers who already have a number of financial pressures to deal with.

He says the legislation comes at a good time when Rural America is under a great deal of financial stress. However, he adds the economic woes continue and need addressing.

Sombke says it’s positive members of Congress could come together in a bipartisan way to pass this needed legislation.

The bill was included as part of the supplemental appropriations package.