Press Releases

U.S. Congressman Rick W. Allen issued the following statement today after the House of Representatives passed H.R. 2, the Agriculture and Nutrition Act of 2018, better known as the Farm Bill. As a member of the House Agriculture Committee, Congressman Allen played an integral role in writing and marking up the legislation during the committee process before the bill was brought to the House floor for a full vote by the House of Representatives.

“Today’s successful passage of the Agriculture and Nutrition Act brings us yet another step closer to securing a brighter future for our American farmers,” said Congressman Allen. “I’ve heard time and again that Congress must take action to address the economic hardships that have devastated rural America over the past five years, and with the passage of the farm bill, we have delivered certainty and commonsense solutions for our farming families.

Additionally, as we continue to see our economy grow with over six million available jobs in this country, H.R. 2 provides those currently enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program with opportunities to prepare for gainful employment through education, training, or transitioning straight into the workforce, an opportunity that should be available to all Americans,” continued Allen.  “I believe that this generation has more opportunities than any before, and I will continue to stand firmly with rural America to implement policies that will allow all to achieve the American Dream.”

The Agriculture and Nutrition Act addresses a variety of issues under the House Agriculture Committee’s jurisdiction, including:

• Farm Policy:  The farm bill maintains and improves Price Loss Coverage (PLC) and Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) through 2023 and allows farmers to make a new election between the two programs. Crop insurance is protected in this bill, with some improvements to the program. In addition, the farm bill reauthorizes marketing and promotion programs that support specialty crops. Specifically, it enacts key changes and maintains funding for the Specialty Crop Research Initiative (SCRI) and the Specialty Crop Block Grant program.

• Trade: H.R. 2 supports our farmers and ranchers by authorizing and restoring funding for vital tools for trade promotion and market development. In addition, the bill maintains legal authority for the secretary to provide assistance against unfair foreign trading practices.

• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP): The SNAP program is our nation’s chief nutrition program and the farm bill strengthens existing work requirements and offers other opportunities for SNAP recipients to learn the skills necessary for gainful employment.

• Rural Development: The bill authorizes annual funds for rural broadband and requires USDA to establish modern broadband standards. It also strengthens rural development initiatives to ensure our rural areas have opportunity for jobs and growth.

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