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We have a new farm bill to write this year and I will oppose any attempts to further reduce farm bill spending. I think that, by and large, the current farm bill is working as we intended. We will have to make some tweaks to different programs but we should not be looking to reduce our budget.

But, now, I would like to see us get back to 35 or even 40 million acres in this next farm bill. This increase will improve water quality and address the declining wildlife populations we’ve experienced in my region of the country. I think we can find a way to get there but we will need to simplify and reform the program; I wouldn’t support an increase in acres without some changes.

The Pesticide Registration Enhancement Act, now in its fourth iteration, is the result of work done by a broad coalition of industry and environmental stakeholders. The Reducing Regulatory Burdens Act alleviates additional permitting requirements that would have little to no environmental benefit.

Looking specifically at SNAP food choice it would seem pretty straightforward that we not allow SNAP dollars to be spent on junk food. But how do you define junk food?

It is a positive step when stakeholders can come together to benefit consumers. This voluntary label will help clear up consumer confusion around date labels on food and also help reduce the amount of food thrown away each year.

We have a lot of work ahead of us this Congress and reauthorizing the farm bill is at the top of the list. I hope we can all work together to get a new, good bill signed into law before the current bill expires in September 2018. I think I speak for all of us on this side of the aisle when I say that we want to be helpful and are ready to get to work on this effort.

U.S. House Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Collin C. Peterson, D-Minn., today announced the Democratic Ranking Members and Subcommittee membership for the House Agriculture Committee’s six Subcommittees.

Agriculture and rural America play such an important role in our economy. With the appointment of Perdue, who has a background in agriculture, I am hopeful we will get a better sense of the incoming administration's policy plans for rural America.

The Agriculture Committee's new and returning members are ready to get to work on the wide variety of issues overseen by the Committee, including reauthorizing the 2014 Farm Bill. I look forward to working with them and the Republican members of the Committee this Congress

Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to the bill. The bill went too far last Congress and it goes too far now. The Commission, in my opinion, just needs a simple reauthorization.