WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Lynn Jenkins sent a letter to Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee Collin Peterson (D-Minn.) and Ranking Member Frank Lucas (R-Ok.) inviting them to hold a farm bill field hearing in her district in Kansas.
 
“The agriculture industry is vital to the economy in my district, and a strong, predictable farm bill is critical to my constituents,” Jenkins said. “After learning that Chairman Peterson intends to start discussions for the next farm bill this year, I invited him and Ranking Member Lucas to hold a field hearing in Eastern Kansas.”
 
The Farm Bill is a five-year program that will be up for reauthorization in 2012. With the current economic challenges in our nation, Chairman Peterson said it will be more difficult to pass the next farm bill so he intends to start early in the process. The farm bill authorizes federal farm and nutrition programs.
 
Congresswoman Jenkins continued, “In recent years, when Washington has looked to cut spending, farms programs have repeatedly had a target on their backs. While I absolutely agree we must stop the reckless spending spree in Washington, I am confident we can draft a new farm bill that protects the farm safety net and is fiscally responsible.”