Listed below are my five (5) most recent votes:
| Date | RC# | Bill | Vote |
| 12-1 | 595 | H RES 1724 | Yea |
| 12-1 | 594 | H RES 1217 | Aye |
| 12-1 | 593 | H J RES 101 | Nay |
| 12-1 | 592 | H RES 1430 | Aye |
| 12-1 | 591 | H RES 1735 | Aye |
Agriculture
Agriculture is Pennsylvania’s number one industry. The Fifth Congressional District is home to a diverse selection of the Commonwealth’s agriculture industry, including: dairy production; various specialty crops; cattle; equines; wineries; and a well defined timber industry. Agriculture plays a key role in rural economic development throughout Pennsylvania. As a descendent of a long line of dairy farmers, I am proud to be an active member of the House Agriculture Committee, where I serve on the Subcommittee on Conservation, Credit, Energy, and Research and the Subcommittee on Rural Development, Biotechnology, Specialty Crops, and Foreign Agriculture. The Committee has begun holding hearings and gathering information for the reauthorization of the 2008 Farm Bill. I am looking forward to working with my House colleagues, constituents and the various agriculture organizations to improve the policies that affect our nation’s agricultural sector and ensure the continuation of vital research and development of new technologies and processes that will assist our family farms into the 21st century.
Rural Development
Rural Development is one of my top issues as a Member of Congress and as a Member of the Agriculture Committee. Creating jobs and expanding technology, such as broadband and cell phone coverage, is a major challenge that must be met in rural Pennsylvania.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has a variety of programs that are extremely beneficial to rural America; and my offices in Bellefonte and Titusville work with our constituents, local governments, and community organizations to help them receive this assistance in the forms of grants and loans. For more information, please contact my Titusville office at (814) 827-3985.
Dairy
D-airy is the largest sector of Pennsylvania’s agricultural industry. The industry has witnessed great difficulties in recent years, because profits have only been roughly half the costs of production. Depressed prices have been disastrous for all producers and many have faced financial hardship.
Fortunately, my colleagues and I have been quick to respond by lending assistance to the dairy industry. This has kept many farms from going under, although these actions do not address the long term reforms needed to keep milk prices stable. Many of my colleagues in Congress are finally becoming aware of the needs to reform the system; however this debate is far from over. As a part of USDA’s process, Secretary Tom Vilsack established a Dairy Advisory Committee to bring producers, processors, academia and economists under one umbrella to address these shortfalls. Through my efforts, Tioga County Commissioner Erick Coolidge, a fifth generation and lifelong dairyman, was appointed to the Committee and will also serve as a vice chairman. Commissioner Coolidge’s efforts will compliment my efforts on the Agricultural Committee and together we will create a stronger voice for Pennsylvania’s dairy farmers.
These efforts will be compounded by the reestablishment of the House Dairy Caucus, which is a bipartisan group with the common goal of improving dairy pricing and assistance, and reducing the volatility in the market. As one of the most active members, I have advocated for additional focus on this critical issue and will continue to address the needs of Pennsylvania’s dairy industry through the reauthorization of the 2008 farm bill.
Timber
Pennsylvania is blessed with some of the finest hardwood timber in the world. For generations timber harvesting has been an economic engine throughout the region, while also serving a dual role of providing environmental and forest management benefits.
More than a billion dollars in hardwoods and hardwood products are exported from the United States each year. Among the many products, forest goods range from furniture and musical instruments to flooring. As these markets continue to expand, it will be crucial to ensure there is proper management of the Allegheny National Forest. As a member of the House Agriculture Committee and the Subcommittee on Rural Development, Biotechnology, Specialty Crops, and Foreign Agriculture, I will continue oversight of trade promotion programs to ensure that our producers and craftsmen have access to developing international markets.
Timber harvesting has numerous environmental benefits because it is an important part of forest management. A managed forest allows for dead trees and wood waste to be removed from the floor, rather than lying idle and decaying. Similar to weeding a garden, this kind of removal allows for a healthier forest to emerge over time. A managed forest also makes for a stronger “carbon sink,” because healthy forests better absorb carbon dioxide than untouched forests. Managing forests creates a “win-win” situation. In addition to ensuring forest health, timber and wood waste are converted into cellulosic ethanol, wood chips and pellets.
Because of Pennsyvlania’s long history with the timber industry, I was proud to sign onto H.Res.81, a bill recognizing the importance of the hardwood industry. The bill has more than fifty cosponsors and was passed by the House of Representatives on September 15, 2009.
