WALL STREET JOURNAL ED BOARD April 11, 2018 A common refrain from businesses is that they can’t find enough workers. The unemployment rate is a low 4.1%, but one reason for the shortage are government benefits that corrode a culture of work. So credit to House Republicans for trying to fix disincentives in food stamps amid what are sure to be nasty and dishonest attacks. House Agriculture Chairman... Read more »
Over the past three years, the House Agriculture Committee conducted an extensive, three-year review of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). From the onset, House Agriculture Committee Chairman Mike Conaway (TX-11) has committed to getting the policy right – not setting a savings number and molding the policy to meet that. It’s about improving policy and modernizing the program to... Read more »
In this week's #FarmBillFriday, Rep. Rick Crawford (AR-1) underlines the correlation between strong food security and national security. The farm bill plays a critical role in ensuring the American's have the safest, most abundant and affordable food supply in the world "The investment that we make in production agriculture it returns to us in so many ways but mostly in a secure nation." Rep. Craw... Read more »
Washington, D.C. – House Agriculture Committee Chairman K. Michael Conaway (TX-11) today made the following statement regarding the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) swift implementation of improvements to the Margin Protection Program (MPP) for dairy producers: “The Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 contained important provisions for dairy producers, cotton farmers and those affected by hurrica... Read more »
In this week's #FarmBillFriday, Rep. Adam Kinzinger (IL-16) highlights Illinois' vast agriculture industry and notes the various programs within the farm bill that have a direct impact on farmers, ranchers and consumers. "In 2018, Congress once again has the opportunity to get our food and agriculture policies right in the passage of the next farm bill." Rep. Kinzinger said [in part]: Illinois has... Read more »
In this week's, #FarmBillFriday, Rep. David G. Valadao (CA-21), a California dairy farmer, expresses the importance of strengthening the farm bill so the California dairy industry can continue to thrive. "As the largest dairy producing district in the nation, it’s important that Washington passes a farm bill that allows California dairy to continue to thrive and be successful in the future." Rep. ... Read more »
In this week's #FarmBillFriday, Rep. Tom Cole (OK-4) highlights the importance of crop insurance to farmers and ranchers on the Plains where volatile weather conditions present constant challenges. "Probably the most important element for us is just simply crop insurance." Rep. Cole said [in part]: I represent 14,000 farms and ranches as well. Agriculture is a huge part of our economy and a big pa... Read more »
In this week's #FarmBillFriday, Rep. Jeff Denham (CA-10) is joined by Sec. of Agriculture Sonny Perdue at the World Ag Expo in Tulare, CA where they discuss agricultural research and innovation and the importance of a strong farm bill. Rep. Denham and Sec. Perdue said [in part]: Denham: Well Mr. Secretary, we are here in Tulare at the World Ag Expo. You and I have had a chance to drive around and ... Read more »
In this week's #FarmBillFriday, Rep. Austin Scott (GA-8) is joined by Zippy Duvall, President of the American Farm Bureau Federation, where they discuss the need to maintain a strong farm bill and key areas of interest to Georgia farmers. "We look forward to working with Zippy and all of the farmers and agribusinesses throughout the United States to try to make sure that we get [the farm bill] rig... Read more »
In this week's #FarmBillFriday, Rep. Rodney Davis (IL-13) addresses the various ways the farm bill impacts rural America. From nutrition programs to rural broadband, the farm bill is critical in keeping rural communities thriving. "As we look further into the 21st century, we’ve got to ensure that even our constituents in the very rural areas of our districts get access to broadband." Rep. Davis s... Read more »