‘Gives These Hardworking Individuals More Certainty’: Tracey Mann Promotes Farm Bill

5 months ago

During House floor remarks on Wednesday, Rep. Tracey Mann (R-KS) spoke about the farm bill.

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Transcript

00:00 [The Chairman] I recognize the gentleman from Kansas, Mr. Mann, for five minutes.

00:11 [Mr. Mann] Madam Speaker, this is a week that farmers, ranchers, and agriculture producers

00:30 in my State of Kansas have long awaited. The House Agriculture Committee will finally mark

00:35 up a five-year farm bill.

00:37 I want to start by saying thank you to Chairman G. T. Thompson for leading the committee in

00:41 developing a bipartisan, comprehensive, fiscally conservative farm bill that gives our farmers,

00:47 ranchers, and agriculture producers the certainty they deserve.

00:49 Around this time last year, the Chairman and I hosted a farm bill listening session next

00:53 to a wheat field in my district. We heard from 150 Kansans about their priorities for

00:58 a farm bill. They were clear. They need a farm bill that gives them certainty as they

01:02 work day in and day out to feed, clothe, and fuel the world. The Farm, Food, and Natural

01:07 Security Act does just that.

01:10 This farm bill strengthens the farm safety net and protects crop insurance. Agriculture

01:14 producers in Kansas understand firsthand how important that is. In February of 2021, Kansas

01:19 had 13 consecutive days of below freezing temperatures, which is a 40-year record. Our

01:25 producers worked around the clock to protect their cattle and ensure they survived.

01:29 Just last summer, drought and market conditions in Kansas caused producers to abandon the

01:33 highest number of acres of wheat since World War I. Wheat farmers have seen a 35 percent

01:39 decrease in production in the last year as a result.

01:43 The reality is Mother Nature is a very difficult business partner. One bad crop year could

01:48 put the livelihood of our producers and their families at risk. This farm bill gives these

01:52 hardworking individuals more certainty by strengthening the farm safety net, adjusting

01:57 reference prices, and modernizing the Livestock Indemnity Program, dairy supports, and conservation

02:03 reserve program.

02:04 The committee's farm bill also maintains American food independence and invests tax

02:08 dollars in places we can see a return on those dollars. America is the freest country in

02:12 the world, in part because we have never had to rely on another country to feed us. At

02:17 the heart of that independence is agriculture research and innovation.

02:21 The Big First is home to some of the crown jewels of the animal health corridor, Kansas

02:25 State University, and the National Bio and Agri-Fence Facility. These institutions give

02:30 the nation a scientific hub of world-renowned research. Kansas State University is conducting

02:35 groundbreaking research into areas including new heat-tolerant wheat varieties and higher-yielding

02:39 sorghum. The U.S. Department of Agriculture's state-of-the-art NBAAF facility in Manhattan

02:44 will conduct research into serious animal diseases threats to be an important backstop

02:50 in protecting our nation's food supply.

02:52 This work and America's continued ability to feed ourselves for generations to come

02:56 depend on a five-year farm bill that prioritizes food security as national security.

03:03 This farm bill makes robust investments in the Market Access Program and foreign market

03:07 development programs that ensure our American producers remain in the international marketplace.

03:13 It proactively addresses issues like deferred maintenance costs at land-grant institutions

03:17 and the country's veterinarian shortage before that problem gets even worse.

03:21 I have been to this floor nearly 30 times to push for my priorities in this farm bill

03:26 - to protect and strengthen crop insurance, to promote trade programs that help America

03:31 remain competitive and secure, conduct rigorous oversight of the executive branch to fight

03:35 big government overreach, and invest in agriculture research at America's land-grant universities.

03:41 I am pleased that the Farm, Food, and National Security Act does just that.

03:46 We need to pass a five-year, fiscally conservative farm bill that is long enough to provide certainty

03:53 and short enough for Congress to respond to market changes.

03:57 Farm bills feed every corner of the nation, from New England to the islands of Hawaii,

04:01 both our coasts down to the Gulf and even the heartland of this country, including Kansas.

04:07 American agricultural producers and consumers are counting on it.

04:09 The legislation we mark up this week will have ripple effects for years to come.

04:14 This body and Congress must use this legislation to address the concerns we have all heard

04:19 over the last several years.

04:21 When we kicked off our Farm Bill Listing Session last year, there were three combines parked

04:24 behind us - John Deere, Case, and Gleaner.

04:27 When you grow up on a farm, you are born into loyalty to one of these trusted American brands.

04:31 They have different styles and features, but they are all designed to do the same thing

04:34 - harvest.

04:36 Our Listing Session that day and the bill that House Agriculture Committee marks up

04:39 this week are no different.

04:41 We all have different priorities and backgrounds, but we are all here to do the same thing - harvest,

04:45 work hard, and effectively turn out a product - the Farm Bill.

04:49 America's farmers, ranchers, and ag producers deserve it.

04:52 America's food and national security depend on it.

04:54 And Congress must deliver it.

04:55 This Farm Bill is something our ag community can be proud of.

04:58 It puts dollars in places where Americans can see a good return on their investment.

05:02 It tightens budgets and reigns in reckless spending that doesn't serve taxpayers.

05:06 Most importantly, this bill ensures that American farmers, ranchers, and ag producers can continue

05:10 to keep us all fueled, fed, and clothed.

05:14 The Farm, Food, and National Security Act is the first step in the right direction,

05:18 and I look forward to this week's markup.

05:20 Thank you, Madam Speaker, and I yield back.

05:22 Thank you.

‘Gives These Hardworking Individuals More Certainty’: Tracey Mann Promotes Farm Bill

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