Washington, D.C. - Earlier this week, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) publicly released a report on the U.S. Agency for International Development's (USAID) implementation and oversight of additional food aid flexibility authorized by the 2014 Farm Bill. Under the 2014 Farm Bill, USAID is authorized to use up to 20 percent of Food for Peace (Title II) funds for administrative purposes, n... Read more »
Washington, D.C. - Today, the House Agriculture Committee held a hearing to examine how the tax code impacts agricultural producers. Members of the committee heard from a panel of Members of Congress—including Rep. Kristi Noem (SD-at large) and Rep. Lynn Jenkins (KS-2)—from the House Committee on Ways and Means, the committee charged with crafting our nation's tax code. The Committee also heard fr... Read more »
Remarks as prepared for delivery: Good morning. I want to welcome you all to today’s hearing examining how the tax code impacts American agricultural producers. Much like it did in 1985 and 1986, tax reform is poised to again consume much of Washington’s attention. Before that happens, today’s hearing will offer Members a baseline understanding of how the current tax code affects farmers, ranchers... Read more »
Washington, D.C. - Today, Rep. Austin Scott (R-GA), Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee’s Subcommittee on Commodity Exchanges, Energy, and Credit, held a hearing to evaluate the effectiveness of farm bill authorized credit programs administered by the Farm Service Agency (FSA). This hearing is a continuation of the committee’s hearing series to set the stage for the next farm bill. Members... Read more »
Remarks as prepared for delivery: Good afternoon, and welcome to today’s subcommittee hearing. Over the past several weeks, the Agriculture Committee has held a series of hearings in preparation for crafting the next farm bill. Through this, the Committee has examined the overall farm economy, reviewed the safety and soundness of the Farm Credit System, and heard from a broad constituency on nearl... Read more »
Washington, D.C. - Yesterday afternoon, House Agriculture Committee Chairman K. Michael Conaway and Ranking Member Collin Peterson sent the following letter to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, Agriculture Committee Chairman Pat Roberts, and Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Debbie Stabenow, encouraging the swift confirmation of Governor Sonny Perdue as the ... Read more »
Washington, D.C. - Today, Rep. Rick Crawford (AR-1), Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee’s Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities and Risk Management, held a hearing to further examine the effectiveness of farm policy in advance of crafting the next farm bill. Members of the committee heard from witnesses who shared the perspectives of the cotton, rice, peanut, canola, and sugar industri... Read more »
Remarks as prepared for delivery: Good morning and welcome to today’s hearing. This hearing is a continuation of the series we have been holding over the past month in preparation for the next farm bill. Over the course of the next several months, we will be working to improve upon the 2014 Farm Bill and ensure the needs of not only American farmers and ranchers are being met, but that consumers w... Read more »
Remarks as prepared for delivery: Good morning, and welcome to today’s committee hearing to review the Farm Credit System. Today’s hearing is titled a Review of the Farm Credit System but the objective is twofold. First, we hope to educate ourselves and the public on the history and purpose of the Farm Credit System institutions that provide vital credit to rural America. Since its inception over ... Read more »
Washington, D.C. - Today the House Agriculture Committee held a hearing to review the Farm Credit System (FCS). Members of the committee heard from representatives of the Farm Credit Administration as well as representatives from institutions that provide credit. The hearing highlighted the century-long mission of FCS to provide credit to rural communities in both good times and bad, and it review... Read more »
