Press Releases

WASHINGTON - Today, the U.S. House of Representatives approved the conference report for the Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008, a groundbreaking bill that invests in improved nutrition, conservation, renewable energy and farm programs and includes significant reforms. Read more »

Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin Peterson today announced the list of Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives to participate in the conference committee that will negotiate the 2008 Farm Bill. “The Members serving on this conference committee have a challenging job as we work to come to an agreement that will move the Farm Bill forward,” Chairman Peterson said... Read more »

- Today, the House Committee on Agriculture adopted the budget views and estimates letter which outlines the Committee’s budget recommendations for the federal agencies and programs under its jurisdiction. The letter will be submitted to House Budget Committee Chairman John Spratt of South Carolina, pursuant to section 301(d) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, as well as clause 4(f) of Hous... Read more »

Today, Congressman Leonard Boswell, Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee’s Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy and Poultry, held a hearing to find out why the U.S. Department of Agriculture has not implemented the National Veterinary Medical Service Act (Public Law No: 108-161). The National Veterinary Medical Service Act (NVMSA) gave the Secretary of Agriculture the authority to establish a ... Read more »

Full Committee Passes CFTC Renewal by voice vote; three bills approved for House action The House Committee on Agriculture today approved by voice vote a bipartisan measure to reauthorize the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). The Chairman’s Mark, sponsored by Congressman Bob Etheridge of North Carolina, reauthorizes CFTC until fiscal year 2013, strengthens the Commission’s authority ove... Read more »

House Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin Peterson today announced plans to include language to continue certain Farm Bill programs on a short-term basis in legislation that Congress is expected to pass before the end of this year. “This provision will protect the budget we have for the Farm Bill that Congress is currently writing,” Chairman Peterson said. “We have seen promising movement in th... Read more »

Today, Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin Peterson applauded the House passage of a comprehensive energy bill with a strong Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) that will strengthen and expand the growing market for ethanol and biodiesel. The Energy Independence and Security Act passed by a vote of 231-181 in the U.S. House of Representatives with bipartisan support. “A strong renewable fuel standard ... Read more »

Today, Ranking Member Bob Goodlatte (R-VA) and Rep. Jerry Moran (R-KS) introduced a bill to extend current farm policy for one year to ensure stability for America’s farmers and ranchers as they begin planting their 2008 crops. While the 2007 Farm Bill reauthorization remains stymied in the Senate, farmers and ranchers throughout the nation are already feeling the negative effects of the bill’s ex... Read more »

As the Farm Bill debate began this year, reformers thought they found an unlikely ally in the Bush Administration, which has argued forcefully against the farm safety net because it allowed big city millionaires to collect farm payments. What reformers don’t know or have conveniently forgotten is that the Bush Administration has failed to use the authority it already has to end those payments and ... Read more »

Today, the House Agriculture Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry held a hearing to review recent recalls in the meat industry. Congressman Leonard Boswell of Iowa is Chairman of the Subcommittee. The Subcommittee heard testimony from U.S. Department of Agriculture Under Secretary for Food Safety Dr. Richard Raymond about food safety concerns related to recent recalls and illnesses caused... Read more »