U.S. Reps. John Katko (R-NY), Bruce Poliquin
(R-ME) and Rodney Davis (R-IL) helped the U.S. House of Representatives pass the conference report to the nation’s 2018 Farm Bill, sweeping legislation that they said goes beyond just supporting farmers and ranchers in their home states and around America.
The House on Dec. 12 voted 369-47 to approve the conference report, which a day earlier received U.S. Senate approval, 87-13. The report details changes the chambers made to the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, H.R. 2. The bill now heads to the president’s desk to be signed into law.
H.R. 2 reauthorizes through fiscal year 2023 and modifies U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) programs, as well as agriculture and nutrition policies, according to the congressional record summary. Specifically, provisions in H.R. 2 address commodities, including supplemental agricultural disaster assistance and noninsured crop assistance; trade; the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) for low-income Americans; credit, such as farm ownership loans; rural development, including the improvement of health outcomes; increased access to high-speed broadband services and wastewater disposal; agricultural research; and education-related grants, among other provisions.
Rep. Poliquin said the Farm Bill is a win for Maine’s forestry workers and rural broadband development in his home state.
For instance, the final Farm Bill includes key provisions from the bipartisan, bicameral Timber Innovation Act of 2017, H.R. 1380, which the congressman cosponsored to help spur new uses for cross-laminated timber (CLT) in tall wood building construction, which are buildings 85 feet and above, or about seven stories tall.
“With some of the most expansive and dependable working forests in the nation, Maine is America’s wood basket,” said Rep. Poliquin this week. “Generations of hardworking Mainers have made their living in this industry. I’m proud to strongly support our wood products workers and allow for continued research into technologies that will help the industry grow and prosper for our next generation.”
According to a Dec. 12 statement from his office, two CLT producers – LignaTerra Global and SmartLam LLC of Montana – recently announced new projects in Maine.
Rep. Poliquin said H.R. 2 also includes a large USDA funding boost to increase rural broadband deployment, which is important to “Maine hospital workers, law enforcement officers and community leaders.”
“This bill will do a lot of good for our Maine communities,” he added.
Generally, H.R. 2 authorizes $350 million per year for loans and grants for rural broadband, according to Rep. Davis, and also ensures such access meets minimum technological requirements.
Additionally, Rep. Davis said H.R. 2 maintains programs vital to central Illinois farmers, strengthens agricultural research, and bolsters protections for organic products.
“Getting a farm bill across the finish line this year for our farmers has always been my goal and I’m glad we are going to deliver,” said Rep. Davis, who served on the House conference committee that developed the bill.
H.R. 2 is the second farm bill that Rep. Davis has delivered for his home state constituents and he said it includes many of his priorities important to his 13th District residents, such as protections for crop insurance, retained flexibility for commodity protection programs, and positive changes to support organic products.
H.R. 2 also strengthens agricultural research, Rep. Davis said, and includes the bipartisan Agricultural Research Advisory Board Improvement Act, H.R. 5071, a bill he introduced on Feb. 20 to extend and modify the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Education, and Economics Advisory Board, among other provisions, according to the congressional record summary.
Such action will ensure USDA research targets agriculture’s top priorities and supports continued research at American universities, including the University of Illinois, Illinois State University, and Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, the lawmaker said.
Overall, H.R. 2 also will benefit New Yorkers, said Rep. Katko, because the measure includes several benefits for the region’s dairy and apple farmers by continuing $2.4 billion in permanent investments in research, pest management and promotions of fruits and vegetables.
“Importantly, it incentivizes our local farmers to protect our region’s water sources as we work to combat harmful algal blooms and other invasive species threatening our water supply,” Rep. Katko pointed out earlier this week.
Among several provision notable for New York, he added, H.R. 2 also provides economic development and infrastructure investment opportunities for Wayne County, N.Y., by adding it to a list of counties in New York State eligible for Northern Border Regional Commission funding opportunities.
“I was proud to advocate to ensure Wayne County received this designation,” Rep. Katko said on Dec. 11. “It is critical that we invest in and strengthen our rural communities in New York, and this designation will ensure that Wayne County is considered for critical infrastructure and economic development funding projects to make our region stronger.”
H.R. 2 also increases access to foreign markets for farmers by expanding export opportunities and securing an additional roughly $500 million in permanent funding over the next decade to help farmers find new global markets for their goods, said the congressman.
Because 80 percent of H.R. 2 deals with SNAP, according to Rep. Davis, the lawmakers focused much attention on that provision, as well.
Rep. Davis noted that the Farm Bill gives the administration flexibility to prevent the abuse of state waivers to exempt work requirements and authorizes a $14 million-per year increase for SNAP employment and training programs.
“I am pleased the legislation includes minor but positive improvements to the national welfare system and work training programs that will hopefully help open opportunities for adults who are able to work,” said Rep. Poliquin.
Rep. Davis noted, “While there is a slight increase in employment and training, not every able-bodied adult will have access to this job training program like they would have under the House bill.”
He called it “a missed opportunity.”
“If our economy is going to continue to grow, we’re going to need to fill the jobs that are open,” said Rep. Davis. “I hope Democrats in the House will set the election aside and make this a priority next year.”
Rep. Katko worked hard this session of Congress to protect SNAP benefits for his constituents. He noted that almost 18 percent of all households in the 24th District he represents are dependent on SNAP benefits.
“I was proud to support the updated Farm Bill, which protects SNAP and supports our region’s vast agriculture economy,” said Rep. Katko this week. “This updated measure will ensure the thousands of families in our community working to raise themselves out of poverty have the support that they need.”