Rep. Glenn "GT" Thompson, Chairman of the House Committee on Agriculture, delivered the following opening remarks at today's full committee hearing entitled, "Uncertainty, Inflation, Regulations: Challenges for American Agriculture." Remarks as prepared for delivery: "Good morning, and welcome to the first House Committee on Agriculture hearing of the 118th Congress. Our focus this morning will be... Read more »
Rep. Glenn "GT" Thompson, Chairman of the House Committee on Agriculture, delivered the following opening remarks at today's Committee Organizational Meeting for the 118th Congress. Remarks as prepared for delivery: "Good morning, and welcome to the organizing meeting of the House Committee on Agriculture for the 118th Congress. I am honored to be the first Pennsylvanian to serve as Chairman in ne... Read more »
Remarks as prepared for delivery: Thank you, Chairwoman Spanberger. I appreciate you holding this hearing and the opportunity to discuss the 2018 Farm Bill’s Conservation Title. Title II conservation programs are voluntary and incentive-based, providing direct benefits to producers, their operations, and the land alike. The delivery of the farm bill’s conservation programs is a proven model that w... Read more »
Remarks as prepared for delivery: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. As we have heard across multiple hearings this Congress, the need for better broadband connectivity in rural America is immense. In the past, I have talked about the checkerboard of connectivity in my home state of Pennsylvania, with some communities well served, while their neighbors—sometimes just down the street—struggle to download the... Read more »
Remarks as prepared for delivery: Thank you, Chairman Scott. Encouraging soil health and responsible conservation practices in agriculture have been central goals and priorities supported by Congress since the 1930s. Through the farm bill, producers and landowners can access a variety of conservation programs and tools to incorporate activities that support a variety of natural resources. These pr... Read more »
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 »
