American agriculture is a dynamic part of our national economy and a significant part of our local communities. Agriculture impacts the life of every American, and it is important to ensure that this industry can continue to meet the needs of our nation.
Congressman Goodlatte represents the Sixth Congressional District, which includes the Shenandoah Valley and parts of central and southwest Virginia. The Sixth District is one of the leading turkey and poultry producing districts in the nation and ranks among the top 100 in fruit, cattle, dairy products, sheep, corn, and barley production. In addition to being one of the most beautiful landscapes in the country, this region is also one of the most agriculturally diverse. From corn and grains to vineyards and livestock to forestry products, the Sixth District has a vibrant agricultural economy and through his role on the House Agriculture Committee, Congressman Goodlatte will work to ensure its continued growth.
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Member of the Congressional Biotechnology Caucus, the Congressional Dairy Caucus, the Congressional Chicken Caucus, the Congressional Pollinator Protection Caucus, the Rural Caucus, and the Zoo and Aquarium Caucus.
Introduced the Renewable Fuel Standard Elimination Act (H.R. 703). The RFS Elimination Act eliminates the RFS and makes ethanol compete in the free market.
Introduced the Renewable Fuel Standard Reform Act (H.R. 704), which eliminates corn-based ethanol requirements, caps the amount of ethanol that can be blended into conventional gasoline at 10 percent, and requires the EPA to set cellulosic biofuels levels at production levels. The RFS Reform Act is supported by a diverse group of over 50 organizations.
Cosponsor of the Food and Fuel Consumer Protection Act (H.R. 5180) directs the EPA to consider current market realities and cap the maximum volume of ethanol blended into the transportation fuel supply at 9.7 percent of projected gasoline demand as determined by the Energy Information Administration.
Cosponsor of the Sugar Reform Act (H.R. 693), which provides real relief for businesses and consumers from burdensome government mandates.
Cosponsor of H.R. 2393, a bill to repeal mandatory Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) requirements for beef, pork, and chicken products. H.R. 2393 passed the House by a vote of 300-131.
Congressman Goodlatte is also strongly concerned with the regulatory burden facing our nation’s agriculture producers, for this reason he was proud to cosponsor the Regulatory Integrity Protection Act (H.R. 1732), a bipartisan bill to prevent federal overreach of U.S. waters by the EPA and Corps of Engineers. The legislation passed the House by a vote of 261-155. Protecting America’s waterways is critical, but this should be a collaborative approach. We need common sense policies that will protect water quality without limiting economic growth and unfairly over-regulating local agricultural producers and economies.
The new Farm Bill includes a key bipartisan compromise that Congressman Goodlatte spearheaded that protects dairy farmers as well as restaurants, food processors, grocery stores, and consumers. The Goodlatte amendment, which formed the framework of the Dairy Title of the Farm Bill, was designed to provide our nation’s dairy producers with a viable safety net, without supply management or new administrative burdens. More than 140 diverse groups joined 291 House Members in support of my amendment that would prohibit direct intervention in markets resulting in increase milk prices, ultimately hurting dairy producers and consumers by stifling industry growth.
