Washington, D.C. - Today, the House Agriculture Committee held a hearing to explore the implications of restricting what can be purchased with Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. Members of the committee heard from a panel of witnesses who discussed the challenges of implementing product restrictions, the need for encouraging healthy purchasing habits, and the role that ince... Read more »
Washington, D.C. - Today the House Agriculture Committee approved two measures regarding the regulation of pesticides. H.R. 953, the Reducing Regulatory Burdens Act, would clarify Congressional intent regarding pesticide regulation in or around waters of the United States. A 2009 court decision in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit erroneously applied the provisions of the National Po... Read more »
Washington, D.C. - Today, the grocery industry announced a nationwide effort to clear up consumer confusion regarding date labels on food packaging as part of an overarching effort to combat food waste. The initiative will streamline the phrasing used on food date labels by replacing over ten existing forms with two standard phrases. Most products will bear a “BEST If Used By” label that connotes ... Read more »
Washington, D.C. - Today, the House Agriculture Committee held a hearing to review the economic challenges facing rural America. Members heard from several witnesses who highlighted these factors, including low farm commodity prices, declining net farm income, tightening credit conditions, a strong dollar, and unfair trade practices by foreign competitors. “There is real potential for a crisis in ... Read more »
Washington, D.C. - Today, Agriculture Committee Chairman K. Michael Conaway (TX-11) announced subcommittee assignments for the 115th Congress. “From promoting a strong farm safety net to rolling back burdensome regulations on our producers, our subcommittees will play an integral role as this committee goes to work this Congress. The diverse background of my talented colleagues will be instrumenta... Read more »
Washington, D.C. - Today, the House Agriculture Committee met to formally organize and adopt the committee’s rules for the 115th Congress. “I am very excited to get to work crafting policies that will benefit America’s farmers and ranchers with the help of my esteemed colleagues this Congress. They each bring a different perspective to the table, which will be instrumental as we dive into writing ... Read more »
Washington, D.C. - Today, House Agriculture Committee Chairman K. Michael Conaway (R-TX) announced two key promotions at the committee. Matt Schertz, who currently serves as Policy Director, will become the Staff Director following the departure of Scott Graves later this month. In addition, Bart Fischer will be appointed Deputy Staff Director while continuing to serve as Chief Economist. “For the... Read more »
Washington, D.C. - Today, Agriculture Committee Chairman K. Michael Conaway issued the following statement upon the announcement of President-Elect Donald Trump's selection of former Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue to be the nominee for Secretary of Agriculture. "Agriculture is the backbone of our nation. However, America's farmers and ranchers are facing difficult times under current farm condition... Read more »
Washington, D.C. - Today, Agriculture Committee Chairman K. Michael Conaway (R-TX) issued the following statement in response to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Marketing Service release of its new organic animal welfare standards. "I am disappointed to see yet another controversial rule pushed through during the final hours of the Obama administration. Not only do animal welfare... Read more »
Washington, D.C. - Today, Agriculture Committee Chairman K. Michael Conaway (TX-11) announced the members who will lead the committee’s subcommittees in the 115th Congress. “Our subcommittees will be instrumental in crafting the next farm bill. We have to get our work done right, and I am confident these chairmen will do just that. They have each shown excellent leadership skills in chairing subco... Read more »
