Blog
House Agriculture Republicans' Year in Review
Washington,
December 20, 2022
New Chairman in Town
After securing a Republican majority in the House of Representatives, the House Republican Steering Committee elected Congressman Glenn "GT" Thompson (PA-15) as Chairman of the House Committee on Agriculture for the 118th Congress—the first Chairman from Pennsylvania in nearly 170 years.
In the News:
The Reducing Farm Input Costs and Barriers to Domestic Production Act Following months of work to identify near-term policy solutions to mitigate escalating farm inputs costs, Chairman-elect Thompson introduced H.R. 8069, the Reducing Farm Input Costs and Barriers to Domestic Production Act. The bill requires the Biden Administration to reverse its regulatory barriers to domestic agriculture production and provide immediate relief to families across the country. The bill has received extensive support across the Republican caucus with 50 Members signing on as cosponsors, including seven Committee Ranking Members, and became a key legislative proposal in the House GOP’s “Commitment to America.”
In the News:
Conservation with a Purpose Chairman-elect Thompson hosted a roundtable discussion at Burk-Lea Farms in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania. The event was sponsored by the Energy, Climate, and Conservation Task Force, created by Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy last year to promote innovation, invest in clean energy infrastructure, and implement conservative climate and conservation initiatives that benefit farmers and the environment. The Taskforce also endorsed legislative proposals from House Agriculture Republicans to increase production yields and boost revenues through the expansion of voluntary conservation efforts that were later included in the "Commitment to America." Click here to watch the full roundtable discussion >>>
In the News:
The Digital Commodity Exchange Act of 2022 Rep. Thompson was joined by Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA), Rep. Tom Emmer (R-MN), and Rep. Darren Soto (D-FL) in introducing H.R. 7614, the Digital Commodity Exchange Act of 2022 (DCEA). The House Committee on Agriculture is uniquely positioned to play a significant role in shaping a regulatory framework for digital assets in the United States. The DCEA, which garnered widespread industry support, establishes effective oversight of digital commodity markets without diminishing the innovation and creativity that has established the United States as a global leader in this field. The recent events surrounding FTX further highlight the need for Congress to enact a thoughtful and comprehensive regulatory framework to protect consumers and bring certainty to this evolving marketplace.
In the News:
Holding the Administration Accountable The House Committee on Agriculture will continue to hold the Administration accountable. We have a constitutional duty to conduct meaningful oversight and have sent more than 25 letters to President Biden and other Administration officials in 2022 regarding Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS), foreign investment in U.S. farmland, USDA's egregious update to the Thrifty Food Plan, EPA's assault on vital crop protection tools, and more. Additional oversight:
Barnstorming Tour Over the last year, Chairman-elect Thompson has traveled to more than 40 states across the nation to hear from farmers, ranchers, producers, stakeholders, and agriculture advocates about the issues they face. As the 2023 Farm Bill reauthorization quickly approaches, the voices of individuals directly impacted by the legislation are invaluable. Click here to submit your Farm Bill feedback >>>
In the News:
Looking Ahead: PA Farm Show Listening Session Rep. Thompson will host a Congressional listening session at the 2023 Pennsylvania Farm Show, the nation's largest indoor agricultural exposition. The event will feature a wide variety of farmers, producers, agriculture educators, and more. WHAT: Farm Show Listening Session WHEN: Saturday, January 7 from 1:00 - 3:00 PM WHERE: Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex and Expo Center 2300 N Cameron Street, Harrisburg, PA 17110 This event is open to the public and is not an official committee-sponsored event. If you are a member of the press, please RSVP HERE so we can better accommodate you leading up to the event. |
