- In response to the US Department of Agriculture's plan to deny farm program benefits to hundreds of thousands of producers, the Agriculture Committee today approved a bill to suspend for the 2008 and 2009 crop years a Farm Bill provision that required producers to have a minimum of 10-base acres to receive program benefits. "The Department's notice is a substantial change from what was in place... Read more »
Today, the House of Representatives voted to approve a bipartisan bill to increase the transparency, oversight, and anti-manipulation authority over commodity futures and options markets. The House overwhelmingly passed H.R. 6604, the Commodity Markets Transparency and Accountability Act of 2008, a bill sponsored by House Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin C. Peterson of Minnesota, by a vote of... Read more »
Today, the House Agriculture Committee held a hearing to review a Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) report on the participation of swap dealers and index funds in agricultural and energy commodity markets. Congressman Bob Etheridge of North Carolina, Chairman of the General Farm Commodities and Risk Management Subcommittee, chaired today’s hearing. "The report released by the CFTC today ... Read more »
Today, the House Agriculture Committee’s Subcommittee on Horticulture and Organic Agriculture held a hearing to review issues related to the traceability of fresh produce, particularly in cases related to foodborne illnesses. Subcommittee Chairman Dennis Cardoza (D-CA) called the hearing in the wake the recent outbreak of Salmonella Saintpaul illnesses first thought to be associated with tomatoes... Read more »
Today, the House Agriculture Subcommittee on Conservation, Credit, Energy, and Research held a hearing to review the reliability of electricity in rural America. Congressman Tim Holden of Pennsylvania is Chairman of the Subcommittee. “Our energy demands are at a critical point, and we must explore every opportunity to develop a strong, reliable infrastructure including electric power generation, t... Read more »
House Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin C. Peterson of Minnesota released the following statement today regarding the floor vote on H.R. 6604, the Commodity Markets Transparency and Accountability Act of 2008: “With the support of more than 290 Members of Congress, including more than 75 Republicans, H.R. 6604 was well on its way to being passed over the two-thirds vote requirement, sending a ... Read more »
Bipartisan Measure Increasing Market Transparency Passes by Voice Vote Today, the House Agriculture Committee approved a bipartisan measure to increase transparency, oversight, and anti-manipulation authority over futures and options markets. By voice vote, the Committee approved draft language of The Commodity Markets Transparency and Accountability Act of 2008, sponsored by Agriculture Committee... Read more »
Today, House Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin C. Peterson and Ranking Member Bob Goodlatte announced changes to subcommittee assignments. Rep. Travis W. Childers has been appointed to the Subcommittees on Department Operations, Oversight, Nutrition, and Forestry, and on Horticulture and Organic Agriculture. Rep. Charles W. Boustany, Jr. has been appointed as Ranking Member for the Subcommitte... Read more »
Today, the House Agriculture Subcommittee on Conservation, Credit, Energy, and Research held a hearing to review the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) implementation and agriculture producer eligibility. Congressman Tim Holden of Pennsylvania is Chairman of the Subcommittee. "As our economy diversifies its energy supply, it is critical we take advantage of all potential sources of renewable biomass," ... Read more »
Today, the House Agriculture Subcommittee on Specialty Crops, Rural Development and Foreign Agriculture held a hearing to review the state of health care in rural areas and the role of federal programs in addressing rural health care needs. Congressman Mike McIntyre of North Carolina is Chairman of the Subcommittee. “As former co-chairman of the Rural Health Care Coalition, I have long been concer... Read more »
