Lawmakers Show Bipartisan Support for Sugar Policy

In a bipartisan show of support for U.S. sugar policy, Representatives Lori Chavez-DeRemer (R-OR), Rick Larsen (D-WA), and Dan Newhouse (R-WA) all spoke at the International Sweetener Symposium in Seattle earlier this month.  Each of the members noted the importance of agriculture, particularly sugarbeets, to their region of the country.

Sugar production has a significant impact on the Pacific Northwest’s economy.  In Washington, sugarbeets drive $28 million in yearly economic impact, in Oregon, sugarbeets have $128 million economic impact on the state.  And in Idaho, the sugarbeet industry generates roughly $500 million in revenue.  Farmers across all commodities are facing rising production costs and greater weather challenges that have made it harder for family farms to survive.  

“As one of the few farmers in Congress, I understand those unique challenges our producers face,” Newhouse said. “I know that passing a farm bill is of utmost importance to our farm economy.”

Newhouse expressed support for the strengthened provisions in the House Agriculture Committee’s farm bill.

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