Remarks as prepared for delivery: Mr. Chairman, thank you for convening this hearing. You and I share a deep concern over the potential absence of international harmonization work between the CFTC and their global counterparts. The main focus of today’s hearing is on the impact of Brexit in US derivatives markets. But, we cannot talk about that without discussing the European Commission’s potentia... Read more »
Remarks as prepared for delivery: Good morning. Thank you to Chair Spanberger for holding today’s subcommittee hearing on soil health. This is a critically important issue to American agriculture and strong farming communities. Congress has long recognized the importance of promoting soil health across the country, starting with the establishment of the Soil Conservation Service as a permanent par... Read more »
Remarks as prepared for delivery: Thank you, Madam Chair. I appreciate you convening this hearing to discuss one of the most egregious and unnecessary loopholes in current food stamp policy. Broad-based categorical eligibility is a sham. We will hear comments and questions that refer to administrative efficiencies. We will hear hyperbolic examples of how any changes to this policy decimate school ... Read more »
Remarks as prepared for delivery: Mr. Chairman thank you for convening this hearing to talk about what is – unfortunately – a very timely topic. We all know that farming and ranching come with a unique set of challenges and an inordinate amount of risk. It takes a very special person to be willing to borrow six or seven figures from the bank every year – more than many of us will borrow in a lifet... Read more »
Remarks as prepared for delivery: Thank you, Chair Plaskett. Farmers and ranchers are some of the most resilient people that I know, and thanks to our nation’s agricultural research and extension system, they remain at the forefront of innovation and productivity. As we look forward, there are consistently new threats developing and producers will need new tools in order to adapt to changing condi... Read more »
Remarks as prepared for delivery: Good morning. Thank you to Chairman Costa for holding this hearing and to all of you for joining us here today, especially our two distinguished witnesses. I doubt that anyone in this room needs to be reminded that trade is of incredible consequence to American agriculture. From the hog farmer in North Carolina to the almond grower in California…from the wheat far... Read more »
Remarks as prepared for delivery: Thank you, Chairwoman Plaskett. This subcommittee has jurisdiction over biotechnology, pesticide regulation, and plant pest and disease programs – all policy areas that will have a profound impact on the future of American agriculture. While I’m excited the subcommittee is holding its first hearing, it absolutely baffles me that our first topic is USDA office relo... Read more »
Remarks as prepared for delivery: Good morning. Thank you, Chairman Costa, for holding today’s hearing to discuss the latest animal health issues affecting our nation’s livestock industry and to review the U.S. Department Agriculture’s (USDA) animal pest and disease programs. Food security is national security, and there is no question that the animal agriculture sector faces pest and disease thre... Read more »
Remarks as prepared for delivery: Good morning, thank you Chair Spanberger for holding today’s hearing to review USDA Farm Bill conservation programs Over the past 35 years, Congress has acknowledged that voluntary conservation works, leading to significant investments in various conservation initiatives. In recent farm bills, we have expanded our financial commitment for important initiatives lik... Read more »
Remarks as prepared for delivery: Mr. Chairman, thank you for holding this important hearing to highlight the state of the farm economy. It doesn’t seem like all that long ago that we were in the midst of the Great Recession, but the agricultural economy was booming. Unfortunately, as those involved in agriculture know all too well, markets are cyclical and Mother Nature is unpredictable. Now, the... Read more »
