Agriculture

As the number one industry in Ohio, agriculture plays a vital role in the economic success of our state and our nation as a whole. The hard work of America’s farmers helps drive our economy and puts food on the table of American families. In this economy we should be doing all we can to encourage the sustained growth of our agricultural communities. As Congress considers the 2012 Farm Bill we must ensure farmers are given the tools and protections they need to compete in today’s global market. 

Farmers are running a business and just like other small business owners they are worried about the uncertainty of the current tax structure, especially when it comes to taxes that most adversely affect family farms like the estate tax. Most family farms hold the majority of their wealth in land, leaving them in an impossible and unfair financial situation after the passing of a loved one.    I strongly support a full repeal of the estate tax, and am a cosponsor of H.R. 1259, the Death Tax Repeal Permanency Act of 2011.

We must make certain we provide the transportation infrastructure and regulations our farmers need to quickly and efficiently bring their goods to market. Poorly devised federal regulatory actions, especially from the Environmental Protection Agency, can also put America’s farms at a competitive disadvantage. I am strongly opposed to the EPA’s attempts to bypass Congress and implement regulations that will harm Ohio’s farmers and have taken many steps to force additional congressional oversight to ensure regulations are necessary, compliance is realistic, and they will not cause undue harm to our farmers.

Washington must pursue trade policies that will open new markets to American agriculture, and guarantee that our farmers will compete on an even playing field in the global market. American farmers are the most talented and efficient farmers in the world. Given the proper environment they can outgrow any of America’s competitors.

I will continue working to ensure we provide our nation’s farmers with the basic tools they need to remain the most competitive and productive in the world.

For more information concerning my work on agriculture, please contact my Washington, DC office at (202) 225-4324 or send me a letter by clicking here. Or, write to my DC office at 439 Cannon House Building, Washington, DC 20515. I look forward to your feedback.