Remarks as prepared for delivery: Good morning, and thank you, Chair Plaskett for holding this hearing today, and to our witnesses for joining us. I think it is noteworthy to mention this is the first hearing the House Committee on Agriculture has held on hemp, ever. Mind you, the 2014 Farm Bill authorized the hemp research pilot program and the 2018 Farm Bill subsequently legalized hemp productio... Read more »
Remarks as prepared for delivery: Thank you, Chairwoman Bustos, for convening this important hearing to discuss the Federal Crop Insurance Program. Today, crop insurance stands as the cornerstone of the safety net for many of our producers, but the program, as we know it, did not come about overnight. Though various forms of federal crop insurance date back to the 1930s, it wasn’t until 1980, when... Read more »
Remarks as prepared for delivery: Chairman Scott, thank you for convening this important hearing to discuss credit issues in rural America. For any agriculture operation, one of the most critical relationships a farmer may have is with his or her lender. This is especially true for our young and beginning producers. Farming is capital intensive; the cost of entry is incredibly high and can act as ... Read more »
Remarks as prepared for delivery: Thank you, Chairwoman Spanberger. I appreciate today’s hearing. We are entering the heart of the 2022 fire season. Already over 5 million acres have burned across the country with nearly 80 large fires currently burning. The Forest Service, this Committee, and those watching must understand that the West is facing a crisis. The Forestry Title of the farm bill must... Read more »
Remarks as prepared for delivery: Thank you, Chairman Maloney. Congratulations on your appointment. I look forward to working with you. But more immediately, thank you for holding this important hearing. There is no better time than the present to discuss how and why we regulate financial markets and consider how to best balance the need to protect customers with desire to protect innovation. Acco... Read more »
Remarks as prepared for delivery: Thank you, Chairman Scott, for convening this important hearing to discuss Farm Bill dairy provisions. Agriculture is the number one industry in Pennsylvania and dairy is our most valuable commodity. Our dairy producers have a huge impact on the economy of our commonwealth, especially in the rural communities and townships I am honored to represent. I am a descend... Read more »
Remarks as prepared for delivery: Good morning and thank you Chairman Scott. Whenever I discuss climate solutions, I have four guiding principles that I keep in mind. First and foremost, climate policies need to benefit producers by helping them increase production and profitability. Second, you cannot have a healthier environment without a healthier economy. And vice versa. Next, whatever we do s... Read more »
Remarks as prepared for delivery: Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and good morning to our witnesses. Thank you for sharing your time and expertise. First, I want to remind the Committee we are—again—battling record levels of inflation. Consumer prices rose 8.6 percent in the 12 months ending in May, climbing at the quickest pace since the Carter Administration. This Administration and my colleagues must ... Read more »
Remarks as prepared for delivery: Thank you, Chair Bustos and thank you to the four esteemed economists that are joining us today to share their perspectives on the state of the agricultural economy and the performance of the farm safety net and risk management tools in the farm bill. We all know that those involved in production agriculture are accustomed to risk, but between weather, global even... Read more »
Remarks as prepared for delivery: Thank you, Madam Chair. And thank you to our witnesses, for sharing your time and expertise with the subcommittee. I was a freshman throughout the drafting and finalizing of the 2018 Farm Bill; to say the process is daunting and the work tremendous is simply an understatement. Policy is tough, exacerbated here by the reach and role of SNAP—a program that is curren... Read more »
