The House Agriculture Committee advanced the budget views and estimates letter for fiscal year 2015 and two additional measures on Thursday during a hearing.
The budget views and estimates letter, which outlines the committee’s budget recommendations for agencies and programs under its jurisdiction in fiscal year 2015, will be forwarded to House Budget Committee Chairman Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.).
“Even though the 2014 farm bill produced significant savings, we know that agriculture programs will continue to come under attack from those outside the committee,” House Agriculture Committee Chairman Rep. Frank Lucas (R-Okla.) said. “The committee is committed to reducing the deficit, but I hope our colleagues listen to us, avoid political games and keep in mind the safety net the farm bill provides during tough economic times, be it for farmers or consumers struggling to put food on the table….”
The committee also approved the Reducing Regulatory Burdens Act and a resolution that commemorates the Smith-Lever Act that established the nationwide Cooperative Extension System.
Lucas said the Reducing Regulatory Burdens Act would reduce paperwork required for agricultural producers, and the resolution of support of the Cooperative Extension System would recognize the role of 4-H clubs, extension economists and crop and livestock specialists.
“The Agricultural Act of 2014 contributes substantially to deficit reduction while simultaneously making historic reforms to every facet of farm, nutrition and conservation policy,” Lucas said. “With its enactment, the committee will rightly focus on its oversight role ensuring that the Department of Agriculture is administering food and nutrition programs in a fiscally responsible way and implementing the reforms of the new farm bill as Congress intended. Additionally, the committee will reauthorize the Commodity Futures Trading Commission while continuing its vigorous oversight of CFTC regulations to ensure they’re not harming economic growth and job creation….”