Agriculture

As one of the largest corn and livestock producing regions in the nation, the 17th Congressional District and its farmers have an important role to play in contributing to our nation’s economic development, environmental stewardship, homeland security, and energy independence.

Farm Bill:
I supported the 2008 Farm Bill (Food and Energy Security Act of 2008), which became law on May 22, 2008. This legislation provides a strong safety net to help Illinois farmers produce a safe and abundant food supply for America. The bill also makes a strong commitment to securing America’s energy future by increasing funding for renewable energy programs by 600 percent. This significant increase will reduce our dependence on foreign oil, address global climate change, and help boost Illinois’ agricultural economy.

The bill also makes critical investments in our rural communities by renewing programs that provide vital healthcare, emergency communications, broadband telecommunications services, and economic development.

To see how the Farm Bill helps Illinois, click the link at the bottom of the page to read the letter I sent to the Illinois Delegation.

Finally, I worked to ensure that the food stamp program was fully funded in the Farm Bill. I am happy that the final bill increased the minimum benefit for food stamps for the first time in more than 30 years and indexed it for inflation so that Americans can continue to have access to a safe and inexpensive food supply. Also at the end of the page is a letter I sent to the House Agriculture Committee in support of this program.

Click here to access the House Agriculture Committee's Farm Bill Homepage

Locks and Dams:
The Mississippi River transports $12 billion worth of products every year, impacting agricultural, commercial, and labor interests across the state. I voted for the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA), a bill that included critical updates to seven locks and dams on the Upper Mississippi and Illinois Rivers. Currently, Brazil has a three-day head start over the U.S. when it comes to shipping products because our transportation infrastructure is falling apart. Modernizing and improving our locks and dams is critical to our global competitiveness and I am committed to finding the funding we need to do the work authorized in WRDA.

Upper Mississippi River Comprehensive Plan:
The Upper Mississippi River Comprehensive Plan was developed in response to the great flood of 1993. The plan calls for building 100-year levels of protection for agricultural areas and 500-year levels for critical infrastructure such as water treatment plants, roads, and bridges.

The serious flooding along the Upper Mississippi Valley in June 2008 demonstrated yet again the need to take action on flood control to protect lives, property and local economies. The Comprehensive Plan will increase public safety and provide economic growth throughout our region. It will create jobs, protect our critical transportation infrastructure, and ultimately save lives, which is why I am working with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the drainage and levee districts, and my Congressional colleagues to get the funding we need to implement this plan. After two major floods in the last 15 years, it is time to focus on flood protection and prevention, not just cleanup.

Biofuels:
I am working in Congress to develop a comprehensive and sustainable energy policy that supports expansion of renewable fuels, particularly ethanol and biodiesel. These agri-products are critical to the energy future of the U.S., especially in this time of globally high oil and gas prices. We must have a robust energy portfolio that relies on domestic sources so we can control the costs and production of our energy. Moreover, increased use of biofuels will enhance the Illinois farm economy at great benefit to our area.

In December 2007, I voted for the Energy Independence and Security Act which included an unprecedented investment in biofuels. The bill became law on December 19, 2007. I have also voted four times to redirect billions of dollars in tax cuts for big oil companies into the development of renewable energy.

Fuel vs. Food Debate:
The cost of food is skyrocketing. Unfortunately, farmers that grow corn for ethanol are being unfairly blamed for rising food prices. According to the Council of Economic Advisors, corn ethanol only accounts for 2-3 percent of the food cost increase. Factors such as increased fuel costs, natural disasters (like the June 2008 floods), and increased demand from China and India are contributing to the rise in global food prices. Higher oil prices have spiked the cost of production, transportation, wages and packaging, which make up the main cost of retail food. Our farmers sell their product at wholesale price to retailers and have no control over the price that retailers then charge consumers.

Moreover, the production of ethanol has actually resulted in savings at the pump and driven down the price of foreign oil. If we are to end our costly dependence on imported oil, ethanol must be a part of the solution.

Disaster Assistance:
Recent flooding has greatly damaged communities in West Central Illinois. I led efforts in the U.S. House of Representatives to successfully include $2.65 billion in the Supplemental Appropriations Act (H.R. 2642) for flood recovery, which President Bush signed into law on June 30, 2008.

I was proud to work with Republicans and Democrats in the Illinois Congressional delegation to bring this funding to Illinois to help homeowners, schools, farmers, businesses, and municipalities rebuild and recover.

Click here to access the USDA’s fact sheet and buy-in instructions for the 2008 Crop Year Buy-in for Disaster Assistance Programs.

CRP and Flooding:
On July 7, 2008, Secretary of Agriculture Ed Schafer announced the release of Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) acres for livestock grazing in counties designated as Presidential Disaster Areas because of flooding. To be approved, CRP participants must write their county Farm Service Agency (FSA) office, obtain a modified conservation plan and receive county office approval before beginning to graze. Participants will experience a 25 percent reduction in their CRP rental payments.

The Illinois counties allowed to graze CRP Acres are: Adams, Boone, Brown, Calhoun, Carroll, Champaign, Coles, Cook, Clark, Clay, Crawford, Cumberland, De Kalb, Douglas, Edgar, Effingham, Gallatin, Greene, Hancock, Henderson, Henry, Jasper, Jersey, Jo Davies, Knox, Lake, Lawrence, Madison, McDonough, McHenry, Mercer, Morgan, Moultrie, Ogle, Pike, Platt, Richland, Rock Island, Schuyler, Scott, Shelby, Stephenson, Vermillion, Wabash, Warren, White, Whiteside, Winnebago.