“…I will continue to work to ensure the viability of U.S. agriculture with the interests of producers and consumers living and working in our area in mind…”
In this video mailbox, I discuss the 2012 Farm Bill and the Department of Labor's Youth Ag Rule
The need for agriculture
The farming and ranching industry plays an important role in the 13th District producing over $5.8 billion in agricultural products each year. Our area is number one in Texas for cattle, hogs, wheat, and corn. We are also a leader in cotton, dairy, and forage. Agriculture is one of the major lifelines of our country, and our hard-working producers are an integral part in maintaining our nation’s food and fiber supply.
2012 Farm Bill
About every five years, Congress debates legislation governing our nation’s federal farm and food policy, known as the Farm Bill. The commodity programs in the 2008 Farm Bill represent less than one-quarter of one percent of the federal budget. The 2008 Farm Bill already made a number of significant changes to the 2002 Farm Bill that, as a result, are providing predictable commodity support while costing taxpayers less than originally anticipated.
The Senate has passed its version of the 2012 Farm Bill on June 21, 2012. The House Agriculture Committee reported the House version of the Farm Bill out of the Committee on July 11th. It is still not know when the full House will take up the 2012 Farm Bill.
The House version of the 2012 Farm Bill would save more than $35 billion over the next ten years. The House draft also repeals Direct Payments, Countercyclical Payments, ACRE, and SURE.
Although Congress continues to face many decisions and budgetary constraints, I will continue to work towards the viability of agriculture.
For more information on the 2012 Farm Bill, pleaseclick here.
Keeping open markets for agricultural trade
The American people can and do reap tremendous benefits from trade, especially our agriculture industry. More than one-third of U.S. harvested acreage is exported, and Texas alone is the third-largest exporter of agricultural commodities. Maintaining free and open markets is essential to allowing our producers to sell products across the globe.
However, I believe that we should also work towards leveling the playing field for our producers. The most important aspect of U.S. trade agreements is that we are placed on equal footing with other countries. We need to be active participants in the global economy, and I will continue to work to give our producers at home the best opportunity to compete.
