Washington, D.C. - Today, the House Agriculture Committee held a hearing to consider the impacts of the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) actions on the rural economy. Members questioned EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy, on the agency’s overreaching, burdensome regulations and policies such as the “waters of the United States” rule, proposed changes to the ozone standard and pesticide uses, a... Read more »
Remarks as prepared: Good morning. I thank Administrator McCarthy for being here today. There is a reason a top issue for nearly every Member of the Agriculture Committee is related to the regulatory agenda of the Environmental Protection Agency. Many members of this committee believe that over the years, EPA has pursued an agenda seemingly absent any recognition of the consequences for rural Amer... Read more »
Washington, D.C. - Today, the House passed a joint resolution to disapprove the Waters of the United States rule under a Congressional Review Act. This resolution would nullify the rule submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to redefine “waters of the United States” under the Clean Water Act. “Today’s passage of this resolution is a critical step to... Read more »
Washington, D.C. - Today, House Agriculture Committee Chairman K. Michael Conaway delivered remarks on the House floor in favor of S.J. Res. 22, a resolution to disapprove the Waters of the United States rule. Remarks as prepared for delivery: "I rise today in strong support of S.J. Res. 22, a resolution to disapprove the Waters of the United States rule – a rule that amounts to a massive overreac... Read more »
Washington, D.C. - Today, House Agriculture Committee Chairman K. Michael Conaway (R-TX) issued the following statement upon the unveiling of the fiscal year 2016 Omnibus Appropriations bill. “This responsible funding bill is a win for rural America, and I commend Chairman Hal Rogers and House leadership for including many top priorities of farmers and ranchers. I encourage all of my colleagues, e... Read more »
Washington, D.C. - Agriculture Committee Chairman K. Michael Conaway (R-TX) issued the following statement today after the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals in Cincinnati put a halt to the Obama Administration’s WOTUS rule nationwide. “This is a tremendous victory for agriculture and the 18 states that challenged the EPA on its egregious power grab. I have vocalized my concerns since the EPA and Army C... Read more »
Washington, D.C. - Today, Rep. Glenn ‘GT’ Thompson (PA-5), Chairman of the House Agriculture Subcommittee on Conservation and Forestry, held a public hearing to review the 2015 fire season and long-term trends of forest fires. Members heard from Forest Service Chief Thomas Tidwell as well as a second panel of affected stakeholders on the many reasons why forest fires are becoming increasingly more... Read more »
Remarks as prepared: Good morning, and welcome to today’s hearing of the Conservation and Forestry subcommittee to review the 2015 fire season and long term trends. This year, Western States, including Alaska, have experienced yet another catastrophic fire season with over 9 million acres burned to date. This continues an alarming trend where the average number of acres burned each year has nearly... Read more »
Washington, D.C. - The House Agriculture Committee completed its two-day hearing series to review the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) organization and program administration. Over the past two days, members of the committee heard from 25 undersecretaries, administrators, and other department officials on topics relating to USDA’s seven mission areas, including an accounting for each area’s... Read more »
Remarks as prepared for delivery: This hearing will come to order. Since this Committee formally organized on January 21 of this year, the Committee has met 44 times. In keeping with my commitment to hold a top-to-bottom review of a full range of issues and policies within our jurisdiction, we have held 3 executive briefings on trade and conducted 33 hearings. And, stemming from what we have learn... Read more »
