Congress

The ongoing drought here in the west highlights the need for water infrastructure improvements to endure future dry spells, that according to the American Farm Bureau Federation. AFBF Congressional Relations Director Shelby Hagenauer said drought is a problem for both agriculture and consumers ...

The National Milk Producers Federation said the new DAIRY PRIDE Act will ensure labeling integrity for dairy products. The legislation, recently reintroduced in the House and Senate, requires the Food and Drug Administration to enforce its own existing standards of identity on imitation dairy products ...

More often than not, farmers are excellent stewards of the land; many will call themselves the "original conservationists". Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack recently said American farmers could play an even bigger role in improving the overall health of the environment, but there's a major road block for them ...

The deadline for the U.S. to negotiate bilateral trade deals with the U.K. and Kenya under rules for streamlined Congressional approval has expired. Technically, current Trade Promotion Authority allowing up-or-down votes on trade deals with no amendments, expires June 30th ...

The Rebuild Rural Coalition calls President Joe Biden's Infrastructure plan a good starting point for discussions with Congress. The group of more than 260 organizations representing rural communities and agriculture says in a statement, "We strongly encourage a bipartisan approach that considers the unique needs of rural infrastructure – and sets aside specific funding for rural communities

The current Congress will address many big issues over the next two years that will have a direct impact on the farming community. From how the country rebounds from the COVID pandemic, to the best ways to expand trade opportunities, and how to improve a crumbling infrastructure nationwide ...

The Crop Insurance Coalition is urging lawmakers to protect crop insurance from budget cuts in the upcoming fiscal year 2022 budget process. The coalition of 58 partners recently sent a letter to key lawmakers detailing the request. Letters were also sent to the White House Office of Management and Budget and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack ...

The Public Lands Council Tuesday announced their 2021 Legislative Conference will be held March 23-25. PLC volunteer leaders, staff, and affiliates will host legislative strategy sessions and workshops on how to successfully advocate the livestock industry in our nation's capital ...

One of the first questions about a new administration in Washington, D.C., is what changes can the farm community expect when it comes to tax policy? Pat Wolff, Senior Director of Congressional Relations with the American Farm Bureau Federation, said there she expects to see “big tax legislation” fairly soon, maybe in the first six months. “An ...

Getting to know the new faces in Congress will be one of the chief priorities for the American Farm Bureau in the New Year. Executive Vice President Dale Moore says they’ll also need to get to know the new people in Ag leadership positions. ...