Franken Calls for Swift Passage of Farm Bill

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - U.S. Sen. Al Franken is calling for swift passage of a compromise five-year farm bill.

Senate and House negotiators finalized the agreement Monday after two years of struggle. The Minnesota Democrat says getting the bill over the finish line would give Minnesota's farmers, ranchers, and rural communities the certainty they need to plan for the future.

Franken's statement says the legislation contains several provisions he helped author to help Minnesota. He says the energy section will create jobs and growth in Minnesota's agriculture energy sector. He says the bill also preserves investments in programs to aid beginning farmers and ranchers. And he says he successfully fought to preserve the federal sugar program, saying the sugar industry contributes thousands of jobs and billions of dollars to the Minnesota and regional economy.