Ag Committee Focuses on Farming's Fragile Economy Panel of economists predicts 4th consecutive year of record low commodity prices (February 14, 2001) House Committee on Agriculture Chairman Larry Combest (R-Texas) today opened a series of hearings to the recommendations of farm economists, agricultural experts, and producer organizations addressing the needs of the fragile farm economy. Wednesday... Read more »
Ag's House Members Examine Future Farm Policy Options Reviewing the Commission Report on 21st Century Production Agriculture (January 31, 2001) As House Agriculture Committee Members prepare to embark upon the process of building consensus in future farm policy, they convened Wednesday to examine the final report of the Commission on 21st Century Production Agriculture, created by the Ag Committee... Read more »
Ag Chairman Notes USDA Efforts to Speed Farmer Payments (January 25, 2001) USDA paperwork for 2000 crop year payments for producers should have been completed by Christmas, but new USDA management will move through the backlog while producers complete signups that began one week ago. House Agriculture Committee Chairman Larry Combest (R-Texas) noted that a Bush Administration freeze on last-minute... Read more »
Ag Chairman Combest Names Subcommittee Chairmen Breadth of experienced leaders meets agenda for agriculture's challenges (January 8, 2001) House Agriculture Committee Chairman Larry Combest (R-Texas) today designated five subcommittee chairmen with jurisdictions reflecting the Committee's focus for the just-convened 107th Congress of the U.S. House of Representatives. "The mainstay of agriculture ... Read more »
Ag Chairman Welcomes Ann Veneman's Selection as USDA Secretary Combest notes importance of experienced choice by President-elect Bush (December 20, 2000) House Agriculture Committee Chairman Larry Combest (R-Texas) issued the following statement welcoming Ann Veneman as the choice of President-elect George W. Bush for U.S. Secretary of Agriculture. "I look forward to working with Ms. Veneman," sai... Read more »
Congress Concludes Commodity Futures Modernization Act House-Senate committee leaders craft consensus measure After four years of examination and legislative preparation, Congress moved Friday to finalize “The Commodity Futures Modernization Act of 2000” (H.R. 5660) with votes in the House and Senate that will modernize the existing regulatory framework for exchange-traded and over-the-counter der... Read more »
Several Ag Bills Become Law in One Measure Comprehensive Scope of U.S. Grain Standards and Warehouse Improvement Act Comprehensive legislation now signed into law not only reauthorizes the grain inspection system and allows use of electronic warehouse receipts, but also includes provisions from several additional bills to assist producers and rural communities. The measure was assigned a Public La... Read more »
Goodlatte Critical of Forest Service Denying Citizens Right to Appeal Administration Roadless Policy Goes Forward Without Public Comment Representative Bob Goodlatte responded today to a final environmental impact statement (EIS) released by the Forest Service on the president's proposed policy for managing roadless areas in the national forest system. The preferred alternative of the final EIS wo... Read more »
New Law of the Land: Rural School Funding with Community-Based Forest Management "Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-determination Act of 1999" Signed into law Monday morning, "The Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-determination Act of 1999" (H.R. 2389) is landmark policy on two important fronts. First, it provides critical funding for schoolchildren in hundreds of rural communities. Se... Read more »
Congress Readies Rural American Tax Relief Producers would gain full health premium deductions, FFARM Accounts, Income Averaging (October 27, 2000) Fragile farm economies in rural communities would receive a helping hand for saving and investments in the taxpayer relief measure approved 237 to 174 in the U.S. House of Representatives on Thursday, and readied for next week's vote in the Senate. Pro... Read more »
