Farr statement on 2017 Agriculture Appropriations bill

April 19, 2016
Press Release

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

 

This committee gives us all not only an intimate look into the operations of government, but in doing so it develops friendships among the committee members.

 

I first met Chairman Aderholt on a Mil Con codel to Bosnia and I like to think we bonded over that trip.  His wife was pregnant at the time and now their daughter is a young woman. 

 

I think all of us have had such bonding moments.  That Mil Con codel was headed up by Dave Hobson.  He and I remain good friends. 

 

Being together in the trenches, whether it is on a codel or banging out legislative language for a bill, helps to build bridges across party lines and create respect for the office we hold and the institution we serve.

 

I believe our mission is to cultivate a smart, effective government, one that carries out the laws that Congress passes.  So it is incumbent on us to pass smart, effective laws.

 

This bill goes a long way in doing that.   Though it is referred to as “the ag bill” it actually covers a wide range of issues from extensive poverty programs to rural infrastructure and development, to food safety and nutrition.  It covers the one agency – the CFTC – that is responsible for the $3 Trillion worth of stock activities that happen every day and another agency – the FDA – that oversees the safety of drugs, devices, and anything and everything that we might put in our mouths. 

 

Given the breadth of the bill it’s amazing that we are able to present it with such unanimity.  While no one got all they wanted everybody got something they wanted.

 

So while the package is not bad, it does have a few items that need to be mentioned. 

 

The CFTC needs adequate funding to implement the regulations we directed them to do.  With an appropriation of $250 million, which is $80 million below the President’s request, the CFTC continues to be grossly underfunded given it’s Congressionally mandated jurisdiction is 7 times bigger than it was before Dodd Frank.

 

I believe the funding level should reflect its role as a crucial financial first responder and regulator of the hugely important derivatives market.

 

In feeding the world I’m concerned about the lack of flexibility given to USAID in the use of these funds, as well as the lack of funds for the Local and Regional Procurement program authorized in the 2014 Farm Bill.

 

I appreciate the Chair’s inclusion of $1.466 billion for Food for Peace- the US’s flagship food security program that literally saves tens of millions of lives every year.  I am concerned, though, with the ‘notwithstanding’ language in the bill that would prevent funds from other pots of money (i.e. SFOPS) from being used towards the safebox funding requirement. 

 

We need smart food aid reform that prioritizes efficiency and feeding as many people as possible.

 

The bill and its report also include items that have already been decided and for some unknown reason keep popping up to be re-legislated, like tanning bed rules, menu labeling, and, worst of all, tobacco control. 

 

The FDA has been given a huge mission.  We should give it the resources it needs to do its job and stop second- guessing it.

 

This is my last mark up as Ranking Member.  If the Chairman would indulge me, I’d like to offer one piece of advice (maybe it’s more of a wish) to those I leave behind on the committee.  That is:  to pay special attention to the poverty issues in this committee’s jurisdiction.  They are so important.  If you can make a dent in poverty, you can build a brighter future for America – and save money to boot. 

 

This ag approps bill has a direct impact in each of your districts, probably more than any other bill.  It literally provides the food we eat every day.  It gives us safe medicine to take when we are sick.  No other bill has that kind of grass roots, everyday force in American lives, the lives of each of our constitutents.

 

I’m a fan of Secretary Vilsack and he’s put in place a new war on poverty that starts at that grass root level.  No matter what you think of him or this current administration, I hope you will undertake a commitment to lift our poorest citizens out of poverty and into hope.  I truly believe that can be the hallmark of this committee.

 

And what a great America we will be when everyone has what they need to eat.  This committee has the power.  I hope we – you – will useit.

 

Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and thank you to all of you.  It’s been a great 16 years serving with you on the best committee of them all!

114th Congress