By Chairman K. Michael Conaway When I became Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee in January of this year, I had one primary goal: to ensure that America’s farmers and ranchers have the policies in place that they need to feed, fuel, and clothe the nation while ensuring stability and consistency for farmers, ranchers, consumers, markets, and rural communities. After all, agriculture is the ... Read more »
Washington, D.C. - Today, Rep. K. Michael Conaway (R-TX), Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee, issued the following statement after North Dakota District Court Judge Ralph Erickson issued a preliminary injunction to halt the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Army Corps of Engineers “waters of the U.S.” (WOTUS) rule from being implemented in 13 states. It would affect Alaska, Arizon... Read more »
Washington, D.C. - Today, Rep. David Rouzer (NC-7), Chairman of the House Agriculture Subcommittee on Livestock and Foreign Agriculture, held a public hearing to examine the federal and state response to avian influenza. Identified as one of the worst animal disease outbreaks the U.S. has ever experienced, the disease infected more than 220 farms in 21 states. As a result, nearly 48 million chicke... Read more »
Remarks as prepared for delivery: Good morning. I appreciate the attendance of our colleagues and witnesses as the subcommittee begins its formal review of the recent outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza. As we will hear from our witnesses, this was without a doubt one of the worst, if not the worst animal disease outbreaks our country has ever faced. More than 220 farms were infected in ... Read more »
Washington, D.C. - Today, Chairman K. Michael Conaway (R-TX) said in his opening statement he opposes any increase in funding for the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) until it is reauthorized. The following statement was delivered at the House Agriculture Committee’s hearing Dodd-Frank Turns Five: Assessing the Progress of Global Derivatives Reforms. To view the full opening statement, ... Read more »
Remarks as prepared for delivery: Thank you all for joining us today and welcome to today’s full committee hearing Dodd-Frank Turns Five: Assessing the Progress of Global Derivatives Reforms. The 2008 financial crisis prompted global leaders to reevaluate the regulatory regime for derivatives. In Pittsburg and again in Cannes, global leaders set out five categories of reforms – clearing, margining... Read more »
Washington, D.C. - Today, the House Agriculture Committee held a hearing to assess the progress of global derivatives reforms since the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act was signed into law five years ago. Dodd-Frank imposed sweeping new regulations over the financial industry, including the regulation of swaps under Title VII, which had previously not been regulated in the... Read more »
Washington, D.C. - Today, Rep. K. Michael Conaway (R-TX), Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee, issued the following statement regarding legislation introduced by Senator Hoeven (R-ND) and Senator Stabenow (D-MI) that ties repeal of country of origin labeling (COOL) to both the elimination of existing market driven programs and the establishment of a so-called voluntary country of origin (C... Read more »
Washington, D.C. - Today, Rep. K. Michael Conaway (R-TX), Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee, issued the following statement after the House passed H.R. 1599, the Safe and Accurate Food Labeling Act by a vote of 275-150. The bill, authored by Rep. Mike Pompeo (R-KS) and Rep. G. K. Butterfield (D-NC) was approved by the House Agriculture Committee on July 14, 2015, by voice vote. “Advances... Read more »
Washington, D.C. - Today, the House Agriculture Committee held a public hearing to conduct general oversight of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack testified, taking questions from committee members on various programs and projects the department manages and executes. Members referenced reports by USDA Inspector General Phyllis Fong (OIG) and the U.S. Government Accounta... Read more »
