The Senate passed the so-called “CRomnibus” Saturday evening by a vote of 56 to 40.

The $1.1 trillion measure to keep the government funded through September 2015 includes several provisions important to agriculture. “This legislation contains important policy provisions that prevent the government from reaching into the lives of ordinary American citizens,” said Rep. Tom Cole (R-OK). “Provisions like those that prevent the Army Corps of Engineers from regulating farm ponds and irrigation ditches.”

House Energy and Water Development Appropriations Subcommittee chairman Mike Simpson (R-ID) says the legislation prohibits funds for the Corps to act on the proposed Waters of the U.S. interpretive rule outlining agricultural exemptions under the Clean Water Act. “This is a major victory for our country’s farmers and ranchers who … are concerned about the potential of the EPA and the Army Corps of Engineers overreach into their operations,” said Simpson. The bill cuts funding for the EPA by $60 million.

House Appropriations Committee chairman Hal Rogers (R-KY) says another provision prevents the listing of the sage grouse on the endangered species list, “a premature action that would have severe economic consequences on Western states especially.”

Other provisions prevent USDA from implementing a second beef checkoff and require the agency to make recommendations for changing the country-of-origin labeling law (COOL) to bring it into compliance with the World Trade Organization.The bill also contains language to continue the defunding of the GIPSA provisions. “We were very happy to see a number of issues that have affected our producers addressed in this legislation,” said National Cattlemen’s Beef Association President Bob McCan.