Agriculture

Agriculture

Advancing the interests of American Agriculture continues to remain one of my top priorities. It is my firm belief that we must protect our nation's food and fiber supply, while increasing access to global markets, for domestically produced agriculture goods. Investing in the future of agriculture is wise federal policy that provides a multitude of benefits to American consumers. At the beginning of the 111th Congress, I was named the top Republican to the subcommittee on Rural Development on the House Agriculture Committee. This subcommittee exercises a diverse jurisdiction over crops, such as peanuts and sugar, as well as being responsible for overseeing biotechnology issues, rural development, farm security and family farming matters, foreign agricultural assistance, and trade promotion programs.

In 2008, as a member of the Agriculture Committee, we completed and passed the 2008 Farm Bill. This legislation, is in the best interest of agriculture producers and consumers across the country and earned overwhelming bipartisan support passing the House by a vote of 318 to 106. This extremely important piece of legislation returned some sense of certainty to farmers, ranchers and rural America. The Farm Bill has an impact on every single American and I am proud to have had a role in the crafting of this bipartisan resolution.

Recently, the Obama Administration has singled out agriculture for cuts attempting to dismantle the bipartisan agreement of the 2008 Farm Bill. This agreement was supported by President Obama at the time. Breaching the commitment made to farmers and ranchers and would unhinge long term business decisions that impact prices on food and fiber. I will continue to actively oppose efforts to alter the structure or mechanics of the 2008 Farm Bill before its scheduled expiration.

New climate change legislation poses to have a enormous impact on all affected industries, especially that of American agriculture. The Democrat controlled House passed, H.R. 2454, which is Cap-and-Tax legislation intended to address climate change. This legislation, which I vehemently opposed, is well over 1200 pages has had little to no true analysis of the impact it would have on food costs and agriculture production in this country. While the specifics of the adverse impacts remain unknown, I cannot imagine that skyrocketing input costs, additional regulations, and higher taxes could benefit the agriculture community in any way. Echoing my concerns are over 120 agriculture organizations who have individually and publicly stated opposition to H.R. 2454. That list continues to grow. It is not only our job as elected Representatives to pass legislation that serves the best interest of our constituents, but it is equally or even more important to stop legislation that works against such interests.

Providing a safety net for our farmers and ranchers and combating legislation that would add enormous undue burdens and increase input costs serves the interests of not only the American producer, but also the American consumer and taxpayer.

Agriculture and rural interests will always remain a priority for me and I look forward to serving as a continued advocate for their economic importance to our nation as a whole. I am eager to continue work on behalf of the constituents of Texas’ District 11, as well as all of American Agriculture to ensure that U.S. citizens continue to enjoy the world’s most abundant and safe food and fiber supply.

Mike Conaway | 11th District of Texas

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