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Agriculture and Energy
Agriculture, conservation and energy are all issues that are extremely important to Iowans. The Fourth District is one of the leading agricultural production districts in America and will lead the nation in egg and pork production and will be near the top in corn and soybean production as well. It will also rank first among all 435 congressional districts in ethanol and total renewable energy production. Agriculture is a major part of our economy and our communities in Iowa, and federal agricultural policy has a significant impact on the day-to-day lives of Iowans. All new wealth comes from the land, and we need to add value to those resources as close to the corn stalk and bean stubble as we can.
In 2008, as a member of the House Agriculture Committee, I helped write the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008, more commonly known as the Farm Bill. The Farm Bill was set to be renewed in 2012, and as a senior Member of the House Agriculture Committee, I played an active role in the legislative process. An extension of the 2008 Farm Bill was passed on December 12, 2013 that was set to expire on January 31, 2014. On January 29, 2014 the Conference Report on H.R. 2642, the Federal Agriculture Reform and Risk Management Act of 2013 was passed in the House. I am pleased that we produced a 5-year Farm Bill for the people of Iowa and all Americans so they can have the agriculture policy predictability they deserve. This was a good, bi-partisan effort and I am grateful for the hard work and efforts of Chairman Frank Lucas and my fellow Agriculture Committee Members. The President signed the final Farm Bill into law on February 7, 2014. I was honored to be a voice at the table for Iowans throughout this process and I will continue my work to support sound agriculture policy moving forward.
I also believe it is important that the Fourth District remain a leader in wind energy, ethanol and biodiesel production. In order to become energy independent, we need to increase the size of the domestically produced energy pie by pursuing an all of the above domestic energy policy. Doing so will help to decrease our dependence on foreign sources of energy, and as the founding co-chair of the Ag Energy User's Caucus, I work hard to advance legislation to do just that.
More on Agriculture and Energy
Washington, D.C. – Congressman Steve King released the following statement in response to the California Egg Law lawsuit being rejected. This lawsuit was filed by the state of Missouri, along with five others, to eliminate a California law that prohibits the sale of eggs laid by hens held in cages they deem “too small.” Mr. King’s Protect Interstate Commerce Act (PICA), which the California lawsuit originates from, was attached to the House Farm Bill during markup in the House Agriculture Committee last year but was ultimately not accepted with the final Farm Bill Act of 2014.
Washington, DC - Congressman Steve King, Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee's Subcommittee on Department Operations, Oversight, and Nutrition, held a public hearing to examine the role of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in relation to other federal assistance programs. SNAP is designed primarily to increase the food purchasing power of eligible low-income households to help them buy a nutritional, low-cost diet. SNAP benefits are fully financed by the federal government; administrative costs are shared between state governments and the federal government.
Washington, DC – Congressman Steve King released the following statement after voting in favor of H.R. 6, the Domestic Prosperity and Global Freedom Act:
Washington, DC – Congressman Steve King released the following statement after voting in favor of H.R. 4413, the Customer Protection and End-User Relief Act of 2014. This bill reauthorizes and reforms the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC).
Washington, DC - Congressman Steve King released the following audio statement after a series of severe weather including substantial rain, hail, and heavy winds hit the 4th District of Iowa:
To listen to full audio statement please click here.
If you are in need of assistance please contact one of my district offices:
Ames
1421 S Bell Avenue
Suite 102
Ames, IA 50010
Phone: 515.232.2885
Fax: 515.232.2844
Washington, DC – Congressman Steve King released the following statement after voting in favor of the Conference Report for H.R. 3080, the Water Resources Reform and Development Act (WRRDA) of 2014:
Washington, DC – Congressman Steve King released the following statement after welcoming the members of the Siouxland Chamber of Commerce to Washington DC for their 60th annual lobbying trip on Capitol Hill:
Washington, DC – Congressman Steve King released the following excerpts from his questioning of the witness, Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, at today’s House Agriculture Committee Hearing on the “State of Rural Economy.”
To watch Congressman King’s full questions, click here.
Washington, DC – Congressman Steve King released the following statement after the Iowa House of Representatives passed House Resolution 123. The resolution requests that California repeal the unconstitutional law which limits the sale of eggs in that state. Governor Branstad has also joined a multi-state lawsuit against California’s action.
Washington, DC - Iowan Congressional, community, and civic leaders all gathered for two days of events culminating in the unveiling of the Dr. Norman Borlaug Statue in National Statuary Hall at the U.S. Capitol building. The celebration of the 100th birthday of Dr. Borlaug commenced with comments by Iowa Governor Terry Branstad, Iowa Lt. Governor Kim Reynolds, and Norman Borlaug Statue Committee Chairman Ambassador Kenneth Quinn.
