ARRINGTON: A Win for Our Food & Fiber Producers

Congressman Jodey C. Arrington Texas Insider Report: WASHINGTON D.C. Over the past three years the House Agriculture Committee has held over 150 hearings meetings and listening sessions with farmers and ranchers across the county to gather input to craft this years Farm Bill. All of this work paid off when this week the House passed the 2018 Farm Bill sending it on its way to the Senate. This is a big win for agriculture producers across West Texas and with it we are one step closer to a stronger and more stable agriculture economy for the United States and a more prosperous future for rural America. It is no secret that farmers across America are struggling to make ends meet. Over the past five years historically low prices high input costs and unfair trade practices have resulted in an over fifty-percent decline in farm income the steepest drop since the Great Depression. At the same time the rural economy has had to recover from higher unemployment and poverty rates than those of their urban and suburban counterparts. This Farm Bill in addition to tax and regulatory relief is essential to making rural America great again especially for our farmers and ranchers who feed and clothe the American people. The 2018 Farm Bill gives our producers much-needed certainty and stability makes critical investments in rural infrastructure and requires able-bodied adults to work in order to receive food stamps. Our food stamp reforms increase accountability reduce waste and inefficiency and - most importantly - break the cycle of government dependency and restore the dignity of work in this country. I could not be happier with the work that the House Agriculture Committee has done with this years Farm Bill and I am honored to have been a part of the process. Now lets get this bill passed in the Senate and on to the presidents desk!