8th Annual All Ag, All Day DC Spring Capitol Ag Tour
(made possible by the National Sorghum Producers, Plains Cotton Cooperative Association, Texas Corn Producers Association, Texas Cattle Feeders Association, Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association)
Washington, DC
05/20/24-05/24/24
(COMPLETE UPDATE on 5/30/24 @ 2:36pm EDT)
INTERVIEWS WITH HOUSE MEMBERS
◉ Rep. G.T. Thompson (PA-15), Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee
Audio with Rep. G.T. Thompson (PA-15), Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee
24E-00 0.33 …did he ever imagine he would write a farm bill?
24E-01 1.17 …there’s more than just farming in the farm bill
24E-02 1.30 …current debt and budget situation plays a role
24E-03 1.34 …dairy has been a priority
24E-04 1.03 …received help from those most affected by the legislation
24E-05 0.54 …passing anything today requires a bipartisan effort
24E-06 1.49 …can a farm bill get across the finish line in 2024
24E-07 0.36 …it truly is a team effort
◉ Rep. Marc Molinaro (NY-19), member of the House Agriculture Committee
Audio with Rep. Marc Molinaro (NY-19), a member of the House Agriculture Committee
24E-08 0.58 …how members have to learn to agree, and be willing to compromise
24E-09 1.06 …highlights in the 2024 Farm Bill
24E-10 1.32 …dairy issues addressed
24E-11 1.15 …importance of SNAP
24E-12 0.46 …on addressing disabilities in the ag industry
24E-13 1.22 …why he’s engaged with other members in looking for solutions
◉ Rep. Jodey Arrington (TX-19), Chairman of the House Budget Committee
Audio with Rep. Jodey Arrington (TX-19), Chairman of the House Budget Committee
24E-14 1.01 …how the Budget Committee is getting aggressive
24E-15 2.02 …the role the CBO and farm-state lawmakers have in setting the budget
24E-16 2.15 …says inflation is putting the entire nation in danger
24E-17 2.22 …whether Congress and the country can put policy in front of politics
◉ Audio with Rep. Kat Cammack (FL-03), a member of the House Agriculture Committee
Audio with Rep. Kat Cammack (FL-03), a member of the House Agriculture Committee
24E-18 0.31 …the 2024 Farm Bill is important for the state of Florida
24E-19 2.02 …the citrus industry is facing challenges
24E-20 1.10 …importance of the livestock section in the farm bill
24E-21 0.57 …and the importance of a farm bill for rural communities
◉ Rep. Rick Crawford (AR-01), a member of the House Agriculture Committee
Audio with Rep. Rick Crawford (AR-01), a member of the House Agriculture Committee
24E-22 0.21 …this Farm Bill isn’t his first rodeo
24E-23 0.20 …on the importance of institutional knowledge
24E-24 0.54 …the role the staff plays in writing the farm ball
24E-25 2.48 …the H2A Guest Worker program for agriculture is now a front-burner issue
24E-26 0.35 …while bipartisan work is good, it takes a bicameral effort to solve problems
◉ Rep. Sharice Davids (KS-03), member of the House Agriculture Committee
Audio with Rep. Sharice Davids (KS-03), a member of the House Agriculture Committee
24E-27 0.29 …on her first farm bill
24E-28 0.43 …the importance of protecting crop insurance
24E-29 0.44 …how a former farm bill author has been a mentor
24E-30 0.35 …the farm bill must deliver for Native-American communities
◉ Rep. Randy Feenstra (IA-04), a member of the House Agriculture Committee
Audio with Rep. Randy Feenstra (IA-04), a member of the House Agriculture Committee
24E-31 0.30 …he’s excited to be writing his first farm bill as a member of Congress
24E-32 0.29 …looks to make improvements to the Livestock Indemnity Program
24E-33 0.48 …on trade challenges with Mexico and Brazil
24E-34 0.36 …is frustrated with the current ag-trade deficit
24E-35 0.42 …that’s why domestic opportunities are so important right now
24E-36 0.53 …the fact that we even have a “death tax” is ludicrous
◉ Rep. Michelle Fischbach (MN-07), a member of the Budget Committee and Ways & Means Committee
Audio with Rep. Michelle Fischbach (MN-07), a member of the Budget Committee and Ways & Means Committee
24E-37 1.22 …the Agriculture Committee drives the bus, but work by the Budget and Ways & Means Committees pave the road
24E-38 0.12 …talks about CBO scoring for the farm bill
24E-39 1.21 …trade is vital for agriculture
24E-40 0.17 …expresses frustration with USTR Trade Ambassador Catherine Tai, who says past free trade agreements haven’t delivered for all – which is why they aren’t negotiating any in this Administration
24E-41 1.16 …why a new farm bill is important
◉ Rep. Dusty Johnson (SD-at large), a member of the House Agriculture Committee
Audio with Rep. Dusty Johnson (SD-at large), a member of the House Agriculture Committee
24E-42 0.12 …this is his first farm bill
24E-43 0.33 …what in the 2024 Farm Bill
24E-44 0.23 …on the Farm Bill’s impact on the Federal debt
24E-45 0.30 … whether the legislation addresses his priorities
24E-46 0.26 …says agriculture – as a whole – is behind the legislation (in support)
24E-47 0.51 …talks about his FOREST ACT
24E-48 0.58 …on the digital divide
24E-49 0.15 …says the stakes are higher than ever before (regarding the passage of the Farm Bill)
◉ Rep. Tracey Mann (KS-01), a member of the House Agriculture Committee
Audio with Rep. Tracey Mann (KS-01), a member of the House Agriculture Committee
24E-80 0.28 …on conditions back home
24E-81 0.36 …the farm bill is finally here
24E-82 0.50 …his priorities in the farm bill
24E-83 0.28 …talks about the R.O.I. from MAP and FMD funding
24E-84 0.36 …says ag supports the House Ag Committee’s version of the Farm Bill
24E-85 0.31 …other things he’s watching in DC
◉ Rep. Dan Newhouse (WA-04), a member of the House Appropriations Committee and Chair of the Congressional Western Caucus
Audio with Rep. Dan Newhouse (WA-04), a member of the House Appropriations Committee and Chair of the Congressional Western Caucus
24E-75 1.00 …says he never dreamed of going to Congress
24E-76 1.37 …on serving despite wanting to be back home on the farm
24E-77 1.19 …on an ag worker shortage
24E-78 1.34 …says it could be raining grizzly bears soon
24E-79 0.07 …not all bad in DC
◉ Rep. August Pfluger (TX-11), a member of the House Energy & Commerce Committee
Audio with Rep. August Pfluger (TX-11), a member of the House Energy & Commerce Committee
24E-86 0.27 …says Texas has enough members that they can cover a lot of committee assignments
24E-87 0.54 …on regulatory challenges
24E-88 0.56 …if regulatory agencies are not following Congressional intent, how can Congress retake the reins?
24E-89 1.25 …with a prime example of how Congressional intent has been circumnavigated
24E-90 1.24 …on the farm bill debate
◉ Rep. John Rose (TN-06), a member of the House Agriculture Committee
Audio with Rep. John Rose (TN-06), a member of the House Agriculture Committee
24E-91 0.17 …on being a member of the House Ag Committee
24E-92 0.23 …says the House Ag Committee’s version of the farm bill is balanced
24E-93 0.47 …whether the 118th Congress can get the farm bill across the finish line in time
24E-94 0.35 …on the importance of members getting out in the field during listening sessions
24E-95 1.04 …why there’s a focus on black vultures in the farm bill
24E-96 0.36 …agrees that litigation will probably follow any action on black vultures, but…
24E-97 1.16 …despite the challenges, he remains optimistic
◉ Rep. David Rouzer (NC-07), a member of the House Agriculture Committee
Audio with Rep. David Rouzer (NC-07), a member of the House Agriculture Committee
24F-00 0.33 …on his optimism
24F-01 0.44 … Americans take a lot for granted
24F-02 1.35 …talks about his H2O Act
24F-03 2.10 …on specialty crops
24F-04 0.32 …still a long road for the farm bill
◉ Rep. Andrea Salinas (OR-06), a member of the House Agriculture Committee
Audio with Rep. Andrea Salinas (OR-06), a member of the House Agriculture Committee
24F-05 0.37 …on becoming a new member of the House Ag Committee
24F-06 0.25 …talks about agriculture within the 6th Congressional District
24F-07 0.42 …the importance of crop insurance
24F-08 0.50 …issue of smoke damage to grapes
24F-09 1.12 …the importance of the nutrition title in the farm bill
24F-10 0.58 …the need for flexibility in disaster assistance
24F-11 1.00 …on addressing wildfire prevention and mitigation
24F-12 0.43 …approaching the end of her first term in Congress, she’s optimistic
◉ Rep. Bruce Westerman (AR-04), Chairman of the House Natural Resources Committee
Audio with Rep. Bruce Westerman (AR-04), Chairman of the House Natural Resources Committee
24F-13 0.26 …on his passion for forests
24F-14 0.47 …explains his legislation to bolster wildlife habitat
24F-15 1.37 …talks about one product that could be a game-changer for forests and agriculture
24F-16 1.03 …how biochar could become the next big thing in agriculture
◉ Rep. Jim Baird (IN-04), a member of the House Agriculture Committee
Audio with Rep. Jim Baird (IN-04), a member of the House Agriculture Committee
24F-17 0.47 …on his time in Congress
24F-18 2.43 …talks about getting a new farm bill
24F-19 2.29 …regards investments in science and technology as vital for rural America
24F-20 1.21 …the retired Purdue professor explains why trade matters to ag
◉ Sen. Roger Marshall (KS), a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee
Audio with Sen. Roger Marshall (KS), a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee
24F-21 0.11 …he’s all ag, all the time
24F-22 0.16 …is just one of four former Representatives from the Kansas 1st District to advance to the Senate (in addition to Dole, Roberts, and Moran)
24F-23 0.47 …what he’s watching regarding the 2024 Farm Bill
24F-24 0.56 …there are some pieces in play for the farm bill
24F-25 0.47 …talks disaster relief
24F-26 0.28 …why Congress needs to be more specific in legislation
24F-27 1.56 …says the Administration is attacking agriculture
INTERVIEWS WITH INDUSTRY REPRESENTATIVES
◉ Tim Lust with the National Sorghum Producers (NSP)
Audio with Tim Lust, CEO of the National Sorghum Producers (NSP)
24E-98 0.15 …explains the farm bill priorities for sorghum
24E-99 0.43 …while the first step is important, a farm bill’s journey is long
◉ Dee Vaughn, former President of the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA)
Audio with Dee Vaughn, a Moore County producer and board member of the Texas Corn Producers Association (TCPA)
◉ Mark Scanlon with the Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA)
Audio with Mark Scanlon (Senior Vice President of Agricultural Rural Policy with the Independent Community Bankers of America – ICBA – in Washington, DC)
24F-28 1.10 …who ICBA is and what they do
24F-29 2.33 …on the House Ag Committee’s version of the 2024 Farm Bill
24F-30 1.08 …says rural and community banks are ready to lend
24F-31 1.22 …explains why the field for rural lenders is not fair
24F-32 1.48 …independent community banks are vital
◉ Kent Bacus with the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA)
Audio with Kent Bacus (Executive Director for the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association – NCBA – in Washington, DC)
24F-33 0.48 …2024 will be interesting
24F-34 3.20 …on the upcoming Mexican Presidential election
24F-35 1.49 …upcoming elections in the United Kingdom
24F-36 2.36 …challenges with Colombia
◉ Sigrid Johannes with the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA)
Audio with Sigrid Johannes (Sr. Director of Government Affairs with the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association – NCBA – in Washington, DC)
24F-37 1.35 …talks about cell-cultured meat
24F-38 2.02 …has the latest on the issue of traceability
24F-39 2.00 …why the industry is dealing with traceability
24F-40 1.57 …on the importance of a vaccine bank
◉ Kelsea Kemp with the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA)
Audio with Kelsea Kemp (Associate Director of Government Affairs with the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association – NCBA – in Washington, DC)
◉ Ellen Zimmerman with the U.S. Grains Council (USGC)
Audio with Ellen Zimmerman (Director of Industry Relations with the U.S. Grains Council in Washington, DC)
24D-81 0.11 …what the U.S. Grains Council does
24D-82 0.32 …says it’s all about building relationships
24D-83 0.46 …talks about Export Exchange in October
24D-84 0.24 …why do they continue to schedule Export Exchange?
◉ Jace Hefner with the U.S. Grains Council (USGC)
Audio with Jace Hefner (Manager of Global Trade with the U.S. Grains Council in Washington, DC)
24D-85 0.30 …about the U.S. Grains Council’s annual sorghum report
24D-86 0.31 …why the report is so important
24D-87 0.32 …why U.S. sorghum is the best in the world
24D-88 0.17 …key takeaways from the report
24D-89 0.45 …on Chinese demand
24D-90 1.14 …and Mexico as a customer
24D-91 0.28 …why this report matters to farmers
◉ Alexander Grabois with the U.S. Grains Council (USGC)
Audio with Alexander Grabois (Manager of Global Strategies and Trade with the U.S. Grains Council in Washington, DC)
24D-92 0.43 …how he ended up with the U.S. Grains Council (from Chile)
24D-93 1.11 …what his role with the Grains Council is
24D-94 1.46 …about an upcoming Global Starch Conference
24D-95 0.57 …on starch and poultry
24D-96 0.46 …other research that looks at cracked kernels of corn
24D-97 0.41 …what producers need to know
◉ Andrew Brandt with the U.S. Grains Council (USGC)
Audio with Andrew Brandt (Director of Trade Policy with the U.S. Grains Council in Washington, DC)
◉ Kody Bessent with Plains Cotton Growers (PCG)
Audio with Kody Bessent (CEO of Plains Cotton Growers in Lubbock, TX)
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FARM BILL MARKUP HIGHLIGHTS
◉ Highlights from the House Agriculture Committee’s Markup of HR 8467 (The Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2024) on Thursday 05/23/24
24E-50 1.40 …how united farm groups are (Rep. Don Bacon – NE)
24E-51 0.24 …on an amendment to cut red tape (Rep. Dusty Johnson – SD) RELATED TO 24E-70
24E-52 3.59 …frustration over the legislation (Rep. Jahana Hayes -CT)
24E-53 2.58 …this farm bill checks all the boxes (Rep. Dusty Johnson – SD) RELATED TO 24E-55 and 24E-57
24E-54 3.32 …on disappointment in the direction the farm bill is going (Rep. Alma Adams – NC)
24E-55 0.45 …reacts to Rep. Johnson’s wins (Rep. Jahana Hayes – CT) RELATED TO 24E-53 and 24E-57
24E-56 0.38 …tired of the rhetoric (Rep. Jim Baird – IN)
24E-57 0.11 …firing back at Rep. Hayes, “it is bipartisan” (Rep. Dusty Johnson – SD)
24E-58 0.42 …it’s not a serious bill (Rep. Shontel Brown – OH)
24E-59 3.39 …on working together (Rep. Tracey Mann – KS)
24E-60 4.05 …the legislation does hit many priorities, but… (Rep. Sharice Davids – KS)
24E-61 2.16 …on what is in the legislation (Rep. Randy Feenstra – IA)
24E-62 3.55 …where is the bipartisanship? (Rep. Elissa Slotkin – MI)
24E-63 0.18 …is ready to work in a bipartisan way (Rep. Jahana Hayes – CT)
24E-64 0.31 …it is bipartisan (Chairman GT Thompson – PA)
24E-65 1.00 …we disagree (Rep. Jahana Hayes – CT)
24E-66 4.14 …farmers and our rural communities need this (Rep. Eric Sorensen – IL)
24E-67 1.14 …NOTE: three protesters slid into the hearing room during a break. They began shouting about chickens and eggs while Rep. Nikki Budzinski (IL) and Chair Thompson (PA) paddle-balled over whether both parties were involved in writing the legislation. Rep. Marc Molinaro (NY) gets a chuckle when the protesters are removed and he is recognized.
24E-68 1.13 …for those who are planning to vote “no” on the legislation (Rep. Marc Molinaro – NY)
24E-69 2.48 …this bill does not cut SNAP benefits (Rep. Marc Molinaro – NY)
24E-70 0.49 …regarding an earlier amendment by Rep. Don Davis of NC (Chairman GT Thompson – PA) RELATED TO 24E-51
24E-71 4.05 …an amendment by Rep. Derrick Van Orden of WI and a secondary amendment by Rep. Greg Casar of TX dealing with child labor in meatpacking plants spawned a final hour exchange of fireworks from both sides, highlighted in part by Rep. Dusty Johnson of SD and Rep. Jim McGovern of MA. Chairman GT Thompson breaks in to calm the members.
24E-72 3.00 …this committee should not act like some of the others, says a former Chair and co-author of the 2014 Farm Bill (Rep. Frank Lucas – OK)
24E-73 1.56 …the clerk is calling the role for final approval of the legislation (four Democrats join with all the Republicans to pass the bill)
24E-74 0.16 …the clerk provides the final vote, and Chairman GT Thompson of PA reports the 2024 Farm Bill to the full House