On Tuesday, Congress passed the farm bill 68-32. The $100, billion-a-year measure will provide some financial security for farmers who face unpredictable weather and market conditions. It will also provide subsidies for rural communities and land with environmental sensitivity. The bill will also cut food stamps by $800 million a year, or about one percent. Read full story here.

Virginia is the latest state where it is argued that a gay marriage ban violates the Constitution’s equal protection clause. The state’s attorney general, who usually tries these types of cases, opposes the ban and has refused to argue the case in federal court Tuesday. If the judge decides to overturn the case, Virginia will be the first state in the South to legalize gay marriage.

This harsh winter is leaving many places around the country with a shortage in salt  — one of the most important weapons for fighting snow and ice. Fearing dangerous road conditions, cities are looking for alternative solutions like mixing the salt with sand or only using it for emergencies. Read full story here.

Congressional analysts are saying in the next few years, President Obama’s health care bill will lead to a net loss of 2 million fulltime workers in America. This numbers is expected because analysts are expecting many people will work less or not at all since they will be able to get insurance without having a job.