Agriculture
Whether you live in a rural area or downtown Fort Worth, our nation’s agriculture policy impacts many aspects of your daily life including food inspection and safety.
The Farm Bill sets the national policy for the U.S. agriculture industry and other areas under the jurisdiction of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Traditionally, the Farm Bill is reauthorized every five years by Congress.
While the Farm Bill includes a wide range of agriculture programs, it ultimately deals with our national food security. A number of nutrition programs – such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), known as food stamps – are also enacted through the Farm Bill.
After years of debate, the new farm bill was signed into law by President Obama on February 7, 2014 after passing both Chambers of Congress with bipartisan support.
Throughout my time in Congress, I have heard from many farmers and ranchers regrading the importance of having a stable agriculture policy, and I was pleased a final agreement was reached. While the farm bill is not perfect, this bill made several meaningful reforms that will help grow our economy and improve nation’s agriculture policy.