House Committee on Agriculture
News Releases
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Ag Chairman Welcomes Ann Veneman's Selection as USDA Secretary
Combest notes importance of experienced choice by President-elect Bush
December 20, 2000

Congress Concludes Commodity Futures Modernization Act
House-Senate committee leaders craft consensus measure
December 15, 2000

Several Ag Bills Become Law in One Measure
Comprehensive Scope of U.S. Grain Standards and Warehouse Improvement Act
   November 15, 2000

Goodlatte Critical of Forest Service Denying Citizens Right to Appeal 
Administration Roadless Policy Goes Forward Without Public Comment 
   November 13, 2000

Rural School Funding with Community-Based Forest Management
“Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-determination Act of 1999”
   October 30, 2000

Congress Readies Rural American Tax Relief
Producers would gain full health premium deductions, FFARM Accounts, Income Averaging
   October 27, 2000

Farm Policy, Crop Insurance and future agricultural budgets
House Agriculture Committee Chairman Larry Combest comments
   (Sound files from October 25, 2000 news conference)

House Advances Financial Modernization for 21st Century:
Closely aligns with recommendations of President’s Working Group
    October 19, 2000

House Passes Grain Standards and Warehouse Improvement Act of 2000
    October 11, 2000

Congress Aids Producers, Lifts LDP Limits, Opens Cuba Trade 
    October 11, 2000

House Passes Landmark Rural Schools Legislation
H.R. 2389 would restore stability to forest communities
    October 11, 2000

Committee Reviews Plan to Prevent Catastrophic Wildfires
New Policy Forms Partnership Between State and Federal Land Managers
    October 4, 2000

Committee Reviews Implementation of Agricultural Risk Protection Act
    September 27, 2000

USDA Delay Frustrates Producers with Price Support Marketing Loans
Department now agrees with Combest idea: lien searches outmoded for some Marketing Loans
   September 26, 2000

Goodlatte Criticizes USDA for Misappropriation of Funds
   September 20, 2000

U.S. Farmers Break Trade Barrier of China’s Great Wall:
Combest, Stenholm praise Senate vote favoring permanent trade climate
   September 19, 2000

Combest, Stenholm Urge President’s Use of Newest Trade Tool 
Carousel Retaliation adds teeth to trade agreements 
   September 14, 2000

Committee Reviews Legislation to Amend Animal Welfare Act
H.R. 1275 would prohibit interstate shipment of gamefowl
   September 13, 2000

Committee’s “Dogged” Pursuit of New Law: 
 Detector Dog finds home at House Agriculture Committee 
    September 11, 2000

Ag Chairman Confirms Financial Commitment to Producers
Payments arrive in producers’ hands beginning September 1
    August 30, 2000

Ag Subcommittee Reviews Fraud and Bribery at Hunts Point Terminal
    July 27, 2000

Comprehensive Farm Policy Review Continues with Producer Groups
    July 26, 2000

Subcommittee Passes Legislation to Reauthorize the 
United States Grain Standards Act
    July 25, 2000

Commodity Organizations Appear Before Committee to Review Federal Farm Policy
    July 19, 2000

House Passes Watershed Rehabilitation Bill 
    July 18, 2000

Subcommittee Reviews Impact of Methyl Bromide Ban
Left Without Effective Alternatives, Growers Face Competitive Disadvantage
    July 13, 2000

Committee Hears from National Producer Organizations
Farm Policy Review Continues with 13th Hearing in Six Months 
    July 12, 2000

EPA’s Runoff Rules Get Downstream Criticism:
TMDL rule changes impact producers’ irrigation choices 
    July 11, 2000

Barrett Introduces Legislation to Reauthorize the United States Grain Standards Act
    July 6, 2000

House Votes to De-fund Controversial EPA Water Proposal
State Water Agencies Join Call to Withdraw TMDL Rules as Chairman, Ranking Member Urge OMB Director to Pull Regulations
    June 30, 2000

Committee Reviews International Price Differentials in Agricultural Inputs
    June 29, 2000

Pressure on EPA to Withdraw TMDL Rules Continues at Committee Hearing
    June 28, 2000

Committee Passes Commodity Futures Modernization Act of 2000
    June 27, 2000

Subcommittee Passes Commodity Futures Modernization Act of 2000
    June 22, 2000

Committee Questions Secretary Glickman on use of USDA Export and Market Promotion Programs
    June 21, 2000

New Crop Insurance Coverage Begins with Fall-Seeded Crops
Signing “Agricultural Risk Protection Act” into law improves coverage, protects revenue
    June 20, 2000

Members Urge Withdrawal of EPA TMDL Rules 
    June 19, 2000

Bipartisan Group Cites Silviculture Report as Proof of Flaws in EPA’s TMDL Rules 
    June 15, 2000

Combest, Stenholm Urge EPA Administrator to Withdraw and Modify Proposed TMDL Rule
    June 14, 2000

Subcommittee Reviews Commodity Futures Modernization Act of 2000
Legislation is Designed to Maintain U.S. Leadership in Finance
    June 14, 2000

House Votes to Keep Family Farms in the Family
Death Tax Repeal Would Remove 60 Percent Penalty on Business Passed to Next Generation
    June 9, 2000

House Votes This Week on Killing the Death Tax
Repeal of 60 percent Tax Penalty Would Keep Family Farms in the Family
    June 7, 2000

USDA Making Last Year’s Oilseed Payments This Week
1999 Payments Mailing After 8 Months
    June 6, 2000

House-Senate Measure Sets New Weather, Revenue Coverage for Next Crop,
Assistance for This Year’s Lost Market Values
    May 25, 2000

Subcommittee Criticizes EPA, USDA for Rushing TMDL Rules
USDA Seen as Providing Legal Cover for EPA
    May 22, 2000

Combest, Stenholm Introduce Water Pollution Program Improvement Act
    May 19, 2000

Committee, Administration Likeminded on PNTR for China
    May 17, 2000

Committee Completes Farm Policy Field Hearing Tour in Boise and Peoria
    May 13, 2000

Combest, Stenholm Praise Passage of Strong Trade Bill
H.R. 434 Authorizes New "Carousel" Tactic for Trade Pressure
    May 4, 2000

Series of Farm Policy Field Hearings Soon Draws to a Close
Throughout Farm Country, Confidence, but Not Consensus for Policy Change
    May 3, 2000

House Passes Legislation to Ensure Rural Access to Satellite Television
    April 14, 2000

Pombo and Peterson Encourage Private Sector
Labeling Initiative
   April 13, 2000

Chairman Sets May 17 Hearing for U.S.-China Ag Trade
Prior to Vote, USDA Secretary, Trade Rep Assess Benefits for U.S. Producers
    April 13, 2000

Committee Hears From Output Sector Groups
    April 12, 2000

Ag Committee Asks GAO to Analyze True Costs of Water Quality Rules:
Chairman, Ranking Member concerned EPA vastly understates TMDLs impact on agriculture
    April 12, 2000

House passes Freedom to E-File Bill
    April 10, 2000

Subcommittee Urges Added Funding to Emergency Food Program
    April 6, 2000

Committee Passes Halfway Point in Field Hearing Series
Still no consensus solutions among producers
    April 3, 2000

Committee Completes Southern Farm
Policy Field Hearings
    March 27, 2000

Subcommittee Passes “Freedom to E-File” Legislation
Bill Would Allow Producers to File Forms Electronically
    March 23, 2000

Congress Readies Safety Net Improvements:
Next: Conference for House and Senate crop insurance legislation
    March 23, 2000

Chinese Make Progress on U.S. Agriculture Agreement:
China's ports ready to receive U.S. meat, citrus and more wheat
    March 22, 2000

Subcommittee Prepares for Reauthorization of the United States Grain Standards Act
    March 22, 2000

Policy Hearings Continue Swing through South:
Hundreds attend hearings in Memphis, Auburn
    March 18, 2000

USDA Groups Locations of State-Level Headquarters:
Agriculture Committee Probes Decision Process, Orders GAO Review
    March 10, 2000

Permanent Normal Trade Relations with China:
An Agriculture Market vital to American Farmers and Ranchers
    March 9, 2000

Goodlatte Criticizes Forest Service Budget Request
Subcommittee Chairman Strongly Opposes $380 Million Increase
    March 8, 2000

Farm Policy Hearings Break Ground in Plains Region
Producers laud flexibility of production choices; but offer divergent views on needed farm policy fixes
    March 6, 2000

Dates Confirmed For Farm Policy Hearings
    February 24, 2000

Committee Invites Participation at Farm Policy Hearings
    February 17, 2000

Committee Passes Legislation to Ensure Rural Access to Satellite Television
    February 16, 2000

Subcommittee Reviews President’s Working Group Report
    February 15, 2000

Farm Policy Field Hearings Set for March, April and May
Ag Committee Convenes Regional Hearings for Producer Specifics and Consensus
    February 10, 2000

Subcommittee Reviews Proposal to Ensure Satellite Television Access to Rural Communities
    February 9, 2000

Chairman Combest Issues Statement on President's Budget
    February 8, 2000

House Passes Food Stamp Bill
    January 31, 2000

Combest Issues Statement on WTO Talks
    December 6, 1999

Agriculture Delegation Finishes Work at WTO Talks
Chairman Says Negotiators Need Flexibility
    December 3, 1999

Chairman and Ranking Member Lead Ag Delegation to WTO Talks
Delegation Seeks Increased Role for Agriculture in Seattle Round
    November 29, 1999

Committee Finishes Work for First Session, Looks Ahead to Next Year's Comprehensive Farm Policy Review
   November 18, 1999

China to Sharply Lower Trade Barriers to U.S. Farm Goods
China's Entry into World Trade Organization Will Come on U.S. Terms
    November 16, 1999

With Farm Policy Review in Mind, Combest Says Administration Owes Farmers a Specific Plan
Farm Policy Proposals must be Reflected in President’s Budget
   November 4, 1999

House Passes Rural Schools Legislation
H.R. 2389 would restore stability to forest communities
   November 3, 1999

House Agriculture Committee Presents Glossary;
Committee web site helps explain farming and ranching terms
    November 3, 1999

President's Support for Credit Sales Good for U.S. Farmers;
Ag Chairman Says Trade Negotiators Must Not Abandon Export Credits
    October 29, 1999

Goodlatte Criticizes EPA for Overstepping Regulatory Authority
Subcommittee Chairman says new rules ignore congressional intent
   October 28, 1999

Committee Passes Watershed Rehabilitation Bill
   October 27, 1999

President Signs Emergency Farm Aid Bill
Chairman Combest Urges Speedy Delivery of Assistance
   October 22, 1999

President's Signature Needed for Emergency Aid to Farmers;
President Holding up $8.7 Billion for 8 Days
   October 21, 1999

Subcommittee Reviews Biomass Research Legislation
   October 19, 1999

Chairman Leads Agriculture's Delegation to Trade Talks;
Trade Ambassador Barshefsky, USDA Secretary Glickman at Wednesday Hearing
    October 18, 1999

Farm Emergency Aid Awaits President's Signature;
Congress provides payments beginning 2 weeks after enactment
    October 13, 1999

Goodlatte Introduces Forest Service Financial Accountability Act
    October 7, 1999

Committee Reviews Russian Food Aid Request
    October 6, 1999

House Passes $8.7 Billion in Emergency Farm Relief
    October 1, 1999

Combest, Stenholm Pursue New Strategy on Trade Violations
Carousel Retaliation Act: What comes around, goes around
    October 1, 1999

House Votes to Strengthen Crop Insurance
Bill helps farmers and ranchers protect against losses
    September 29, 1999

Committee Passes Rural Schools Legislation
H.R. 2389 would restore stability to forest communities
    September 23, 1999

President's Tax Relief Veto Costs Farm Families
Clinton dashes financial hopes for FARRM Accounts and producer tax help
    September 23, 1999

Combest Announces Comprehensive Review of U.S. Farm Policy
   September 16, 1999

Administration Delivers Shell of a Proposal
Says emergency farm aid is needed, does not say how much
   September 15, 1999

Committee Hears Producer Group Views on Farm Crisis
   September 14, 1999

Rep. Moran Brings Congressional Hearing to Kansas
Members from eight states attend farm economy field hearing Saturday
    September 13, 1999

Combest Expresses Dismay Over No Reply From Glickman To Attend Farm Crisis Hearing
Harvest Approaches without Administration Proposal
    September 9, 1999

Goodlatte Applauds Rejection of Senate Anti-Forest Amendment
Provision would have eliminated discretion of local forest managers
    September 9, 1999

Combest to Hold Hearing on Farm Crisis
    September 9, 1999

Combest Renews Call on President to Submit
Farm Disaster Relief Proposal
    September 3, 1999

Combest Criticizes Administration For Not Using Current Authority Effectively
to Assist Farmers Plagued by Drought
   August 12, 1999

Congress Confronts the Farm Crisis:
Emergency Aid, Improved Crop Insurance Readied to Meet Needs
    August 5, 1999

State Food Stamp Commissioners Ask for More Flexibility
   August 5, 1999

Subcommittee Addresses Public Health Issues arising from EPA’s Questionable Implementation of FQPA
   August 3, 1999

Committee OK’s “Agricultural Risk Protection Act of 1999”
H.R. 2559 improves coverage for crop, revenue and livestock losses
    August 3, 1999

In Absence of USDA Report. Pombo Requests Labeling Study from GAO
    July 27, 1999

Before Considering CRP Expansion, Barrett Questions Current Program Administration
   July 22, 1999

Crop Insurance Measure Ready for Final Committee Vote
Subcommittee Recommends Passage of Act Strengthening Safety Net
    July 21, 1999

Committee’s Crop Insurance Improvements
Timed for Action in Subcommittee, Committee and House
    July 20, 1999

Subcommittee Passes Watershed Rehabilitation Bill
    July 20, 1999

Goodlatte Criticizes Veto Threat of Rural Coalition Proposal
H.R. 2389 would restore stability to forest communities
    July 15, 1999

Farm State Members Ask President to Present Proposal to Alleviate Farm Crisis
    July 1, 1999

Legislation Makes $5.13 Billion Available to Farmers:
Producers Would Be Able to Receive AMTA Payments October 1
    July 1, 1999

Committee Clears Dairy Reform Legislation
    June 30, 1999

Subcommittee Considers Milk Marketing Reform Legislation:
H.R. 1402 would Mandate USDA’s Option 1-A
    June 24, 1999

Committee Addresses Goals of WTO Talks:
Chairman Urges Ag Secretary to Reconsider Classification of Supplemental AMTA Payments
    June 23, 1999

Goodlatte Urges USDA to Increase Access over the Internet, Legislation allows farmers to file electronically
    June 17, 1999

Committee Examines New LDP Proposal, USDA Secretary Testifies
    June 16, 1999

Agriculture Committee To Review LDPs with USDA Secretary, June 16 Hearing Set
    June 10, 1999

Combest Urges Swift Implementation of Regulations for New Sanctions Policy
    June 9, 1999

Committee Reviews Proposed Electricity Deregulation Plan
    May 26, 1999

Deep Concerns over USDA Changes to LDP
    May 21, 1999

Congress Meets Farm Funding Needs:
Loan Money, FSA Salaries, Livestock Disaster Assistance, CRP Technical Assistance
    May 20, 1999

Members React to Court Decision on EPA Air Regs
    May 18, 1999

Coalition Presents “Homegrown Approach” to County Payment Crisis
    May 18, 1999

Farm Loan Funds Untouched in USDA Accounts
    May 12, 1999

agriculture.house.gov – New Address for Committee Web Site
    May 6, 1999

Streamlined Loan Request Triples Producers’ Access to Lenders
    May 5, 1999

Pombo Praises Increasing Consensus on Price Reporting
    April 29, 1999

Committee to Track Results of Lifting Agricultural Trade Sanctions
    April 28, 1999

Combest Urges Use of Unobligated Funds to Bridge Credit Gap
    April 27, 1999

Goodlatte Continues Aggressive Oversight of Food Quality Protection Act Implementation
    April 22, 1999

U.S. Agriculture's Access to China Market: China Bilateral Trade Agreement
    April 21, 1999

Subcommittee Considers Future of Watershed Projects
    April 15, 1999

Goodlatte Questions Forest Service on Forest Inventory and Analysis Program
     April 14, 1999

President Late with Famers' Loan Money
    March 29, 1999

Forest Service Must Focus on Areas of Critical Importance, Not Seek New Programs
    March 26, 1999

House Approves $6 Billion Financial Safety Net Commitment
    March 25, 1999

Congress Replenishes Farm Loan Funds
    March 24, 1999

New Biotechnology Needs New Approach from EPA
    March 24, 1999

Scrutiny Focused on Cost of New Livestock Feeding Regulations
    March 23, 1999

Lifting Trade Sanctions Best for Farming and Ranching Families
    March 19, 1999

USDA Disaster Relief  Delays Face Tough Questions
    March 18, 1999

$6 Billion, 5-year Budget Commitment for Permanent Improvements to Farmer's Financial Safety Net
    March 17, 1999

Committee Hearing set for March 18: USDA Secretary Glickman to Account for Farm Disaster Payment Delays
    March 11, 1999

U.S. Forest Service Asks for Millions to Buy More Land While Unable to Manage What It Has
    March 11, 1999

Crop Insurance Improvements Move on Dual Track
    March 10, 1999

Chairman Sharply Criticizes USDA Delays, Urges President to Sign Measure Freeing Credit Monies
    March 10, 1999

Chairman Promises USDA/EPA Livestock Rule Scrutiny
    March 9, 1999

Statement Regarding Trade Decision on EU Banana Policy
    March 5, 1999

Combest and Stenholm Challenge Producers and Packers to Draft a Workable Compromise on Price Reporting
    March 5, 1999

Chairman Pushes USDA for Farm Disaster Relief Results
    March 2, 1999

Measure Bridges Farm Credit Gap
    March 2, 1999

USDA Delays Disaster Relief
    February 26, 1999

Questionable Forest "Roadless" Policy
    February 12, 1999

National Agricultural Economic State Field Hearing
    February 12, 1999

Agriculture Committee Reviews Agribusiness Consolidation
    February 11, 1999

Proposed Animal Feeding Operation Rules Draw Farm State Legislators' Concern
    February 11, 1999

Livestock Industry's Pricing Reviewed
    February 10, 1999

Committee Legislation Expands Exports, Provides Review for Agriculture Sanctions
    February 10, 1999

Crop Insurance Agricultural Forums Announced
    February 10, 1999

President's Failure to Budget for Crop Insurance Reform
    February 1, 1999

Chairman's Statement: President May Break Crop Insurance Promise to Farmers
    January 28, 1999

Chairman's Statement: President’s Pledge to Support Risk Management Reform
    January 20, 1999

Chairman's Statement: Limited payments to hog producers
    January 8, 1999