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Subcommittee examines USDA's use of the Census of Agriculture

| Posted in Press Releases

Washington, D.C. - Today, the House Agriculture Committee’s Subcommittee on Biotechnology, Horticulture, and Research held a hearing to discuss USDA’s use of the Census of Agriculture authority to acquire farmer’s personal financial information. The Census of Agriculture, which is conducted every five years, is an important tool used by economists; state, local, and federal policy-makers; financia...

Opening Statement: Subcommittee Chairman Davis: Census of Agriculture

| Posted in Opening Statements

Remarks as prepared: Today the subcommittee will begin a public dialogue with USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) regarding concerns raised by producers pertaining to a perceived abuse of discretion in conducting the Census of Agriculture. The Census of Agriculture is conducted every 5 years by NASS, the most recent census being taken in 2012. Data collected from the Census of A...

Agriculture Committee Examines Current State of the U.S. Cotton Industry

| Posted in Press Releases

Washington, D.C. - Today, the House Agriculture Committee’s Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities and Risk Management held a hearing to examine the current state of the U.S. cotton industry. Members heard from a variety of stakeholders—producers, warehousers, ginners, and agricultural lenders—on the current situation unfolding in the cotton belt. As Congress was crafting the 2014 Farm Bill, ref...

Opening Statement: Subcommittee Chairman Crawford: Commodity in Focus: Stress in Cotton Country

| Posted in Opening Statements

Remarks as prepared: As most of you are aware, we have a very serious situation unfolding in the cotton belt right now. The purpose of this hearing is to hear from the folks who are directly affected on the front lines. I think it is important that we hear from the folks on this panel as they articulate how difficult the circumstances are right now and what may lie in store if mitigating action is...

WTO arbitration panel rules U.S.’ country of origin labeling (COOL) requirements cost Canada and Mexico over $1 billion each year

| Posted in Press Releases

Washington, D.C. - Today, the World Trade Organization’s (WTO) arbitration panel announced its final ruling that the United States’ Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) requirements for livestock and meat imports have cost our trading partners over $1 billion dollars. Canada and Mexico are now authorized to impose retaliatory tariffs in that amount against U.S. exports. House Agriculture Committee Ch...

Opening Statement: Chairman Conaway: To review the Farm Credit System

| Posted in Opening Statements

Remarks as prepared for delivery: Good morning, and welcome to today’s hearing. Providing credit to America’s farmers and ranchers is a necessary and serious challenge for many lenders in the United States. After a recent period of historic highs, crop prices have declined due to record plantings and strong production, input costs have risen, and some of our biggest foreign competitors are sharply...

House Agriculture Committee reviews the Farm Credit System

| Posted in Press Releases

Washington, D.C. - Today, the House Agriculture Committee held a public hearing to highlight the Farm Credit System (FCS) and its century-long mission of providing credit to agriculture and rural America, as well as the role of the Farm Credit Administration (FCA) in ensuring the soundness of the FCS and its lending practices. The committee heard from representatives of FCA on how they are working...

House Agriculture Committee Chairman Mike Conaway Praises Speaker Ryan, Leader McCarthy, and Transportation Chair Shuster for Provision Saving Federal Crop Insurance

| Posted in Press Releases

Washington, D.C. - Rep. K. Michael Conaway (R-TX) issued the following statement concerning the inclusion of a critical provision in the Highway Bill conference report that will save Federal Crop Insurance from devastating changes that had been slipped into the Bipartisan Budget Act signed into law last month. “I strongly commend House Speaker Paul Ryan and Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy for their...

Giving Thanks for America's Bounty

| Posted in Op-Eds

As we gather this Thanksgiving with our families and friends to celebrate our many blessings, it is fitting to also recognize the farmers and ranchers who provided the food on our tables. Thanksgiving is a cherished time for most American families, especially those who make their living off the land. Throughout our nation’s history, our ancestors have gathered during the harvest season to give tha...

House Agriculture Committee reviews the National Commission on Hunger progress in developing recommendations to address domestic hunger

| Posted in Press Releases
Tags: SNAP

Washington, D.C. - Today, the House Agriculture Committee held its tenth hearing in its top-to-bottom review of SNAP, The Past, Present, and Future of SNAP, by reviewing the progress of the National Commission on Hunger in developing policy recommendations to more effectively address domestic hunger. Committee members heard from the two Commission-selected co-chairs who shared their year-long proc...