Remarks as prepared for delivery: Mr. Chairman, I know that you remember the hearing that we conducted in 2012 on this same topic. It was a good and informative hearing and I expect that today’s hearing will build on that work. I was looking though the transcript of that hearing in the preparation for today, and I’d like to share some words of wisdom submitted by Chairman Steven Maijoor, who was t... Read more »
Remarks as prepared for delivery: Mr. Chairman, thank you for convening this hearing. You and I share a deep concern over the potential absence of international harmonization work between the CFTC and their global counterparts. The main focus of today’s hearing is on the impact of Brexit in US derivatives markets. But, we cannot talk about that without discussing the European Commission’s potentia... Read more »
Washington, D.C. – Today, the House Agriculture Subcommittee on Commodity Exchanges, Energy and Credit held a hearing on how Brexit and other international developments affect U.S. derivatives markets. After the hearing, Subcommittee Ranking Member Austin Scott (GA-8) and Committee Ranking Member K. Michael Conaway (TX-11) made the following remarks: “Today’s hearing underscored the importance of ... Read more »
Remarks as prepared for delivery: Good morning. Thank you to Chair Spanberger for holding today’s subcommittee hearing on soil health. This is a critically important issue to American agriculture and strong farming communities. Congress has long recognized the importance of promoting soil health across the country, starting with the establishment of the Soil Conservation Service as a permanent par... Read more »
Washington, D.C. – Today, the House Agriculture Subcommittee on Conservation and Forestry held a hearing on the importance of soil health. After the hearing, Subcommittee Ranking Member Doug LaMalfa (CA-1) and Ranking Member K. Michael Conaway (TX-11) made the following remarks: “Today’s hearing has not only highlighted the environmental benefits of sustained soil health, but also highlighted how ... Read more »
Washington, D.C. — House Agriculture Committee Ranking Member K. Michael Conaway (TX-11) announced the departure of his personal office Chief of Staff, Mark Williams, this week with the following statement of thanks: “Mark has dutifully served the American people in Congress for over fifteen years, and I’ve been privileged to have him aide me in serving the people of Texas’s 11th District for the ... Read more »
Washington, D.C. – Today, the House Agriculture Nutrition, Oversight, and Department Operations Subcommittee held a hearing on the impacts of eliminating an administrative abuse of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) called Broad-Based Categorical Eligibility (BBCE) that confers food stamps to those who might not otherwise meet the criteria to receive the benefit. After the hearin... Read more »
Remarks as prepared for delivery: Thank you, Madam Chair. I appreciate you convening this hearing to discuss one of the most egregious and unnecessary loopholes in current food stamp policy. Broad-based categorical eligibility is a sham. We will hear comments and questions that refer to administrative efficiencies. We will hear hyperbolic examples of how any changes to this policy decimate school ... Read more »
Washington, D.C. – Today, the House Agriculture Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities and Risk Management held a public hearing examining how farm policy helps farmers in adverse conditions. After the hearing, Subcommittee Ranking Member Glenn ‘GT’ Thompson (PA-15) and Ranking Member K. Michael Conaway (TX-11) made the following remarks: “Farmers are facing unprecedented struggles – from low co... Read more »
Remarks as prepared for delivery: Mr. Chairman thank you for convening this hearing to talk about what is – unfortunately – a very timely topic. We all know that farming and ranching come with a unique set of challenges and an inordinate amount of risk. It takes a very special person to be willing to borrow six or seven figures from the bank every year – more than many of us will borrow in a lifet... Read more »