WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Glenn ‘GT’ Thompson, PA-5, chairman of the House Agriculture Subcommittee on Conservation, Energy & Forestry and a member of the House-Senate Farm Bill Conference Committee, issued the following statement after the Senate passed, by a vote of 68-32, the Agricultural Act of 2014.
The five-year Farm Bill reauthorization, which passed the House last week by a vote of 251-166, awaits signature from President Barack Obama.
“I am pleased the Senate passed the Agricultural Act of 2014, which represents the most significant reforms to agricultural policy in decades,” stated Thompson. “This will support job growth, while reducing our deficits and improving key programs that support our family farms, foresters, agribusinesses, and the host of industries that are related to Pennsylvania’s number one industry, agriculture. I look forward to the President signing this bipartisan measure into law.”
Thompson is the only member of the Pennsylvania Congressional Delegation that serves on the House Agriculture Committee. As chairman of the Subcommittee on Conservation, Energy & Forestry, Thompson holds jurisdiction over three titles of the Farm Bill.
“I would like to thank the many agriculture, nutrition, and forestry leaders from across Pennsylvania who contributed their time and expertise to this process,” said Thompson. “Their input was integral to the formulation of this bill.”
Thompson’s subcommittee held nearly a dozen oversight hearings during the past four years, which included testimony from a wide range of industry professionals and advocates, farmers, and researchers from across Pennsylvania and the country.
“In many ways Washington can seem broken at times,” Thompson added. “Congress showed the American people that it can work together for the good of the country.”
Click here to view Thompson’s floor remarks prior to Senate passage of the Agricultural Act of 2014.