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House of Representatives Approves Bill to Strengthen Oversight of Futures Markets

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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...

Committee Reviews CFTC Report on Index and Over-the-Counter Trading in Commodity Markets

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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 ...

Subcommittee Reviews Produce Traceability Issues as Salmonella Outbreak Investigation Continues

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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...

Subcommittee Reviews Electricity Reliability in Rural Areas

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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...

Statement by Chairman Peterson on H.R. 6604

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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 ...

Agriculture Committee Strengthens Oversight of Futures Markets

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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...

House Agriculture Committee Announces Changes in Subcommittee Membership

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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...

Subcommittee Reviews Renewable Fuel Standard Implementation

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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," ...

Subcommittee Reviews State of Health Care in Rural Areas

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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...

Subcommittee Reviews the Cost of Hunger in America

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Today, the House Agriculture Subcommittee on Department Operations, Oversight, Nutrition, and Forestry held a hearing to review the short- and long-term costs of hunger in the United States. Congressman Joe Baca of California is Chairman of the Subcommittee. “Hunger in America is all too real a problem that affects not only the health of the more than 35 million Americans classified as food insecu...