While the Senate has responsibility for Cabinet member approval, the focus on the House will be to quickly develop a farm bill. Here is what the House Agriculture Committee Chairman, Glenn “GT” Thompson (R-PA) told his committee at their first organizational meeting this week.
Good morning, and welcome to the organizing meeting of the House Committee on Agriculture for the 119th Congress.
America’s agriculture industry is the lifeblood of our nation—providing the food, fuel, and clothing we depend on. While this may be our first meeting of the 119th, I expect to spend a lot of time together in this hearing room as we work to deliver real solutions for our farm families and rural communities.
Today, we meet during a time of significant challenge for our farmers and ranchers. The farm economy is struggling under the weight of skyrocketing input costs, persistent inflation, and regulatory burdens that stifle innovation and growth.
Family farms—the backbone of our agricultural system—are bearing the brunt of these pressures, and it is our duty to act swiftly to provide relief.
This Committee’s number one priority for this Congress will be the passage of a bipartisan, five-year Farm Bill. One that restores the farm safety net, prioritizes voluntary, locally led, and incentive-based conservation programs, advances our competitiveness through robust market access and trade promotion opportunities, strengthens programs, including those in the nutrition title, to demand transparency and accountability to the taxpayer, and revitalize rural communities and restore their prosperity.
Second, the Committee will work with USDA to prioritize the quick and efficient disbursement of American Relief Act economic aid. Our farmers cannot afford any delay.
There is so much more under the purview of this Committee that will require our attention and action. Whether it be digital assets or legislation to reduce government bureaucracy and spending, I am committed to ensuring the voices of our farmers, ranchers, foresters, rural communities, and consumers guide our efforts.