[Congressional Bills 117th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 712 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

<DOC>






117th CONGRESS
  2d Session
S. RES. 712

Recognizing the need for greater access to rural and agricultural media 
                              programming.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             July 14, 2022

 Mrs. Hyde-Smith (for herself, Ms. Klobuchar, Mr. Grassley, Mr. Moran, 
and Mr. Daines) submitted the following resolution; which was referred 
        to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
Recognizing the need for greater access to rural and agricultural media 
                              programming.

Whereas individuals living in rural areas in the United States need access to 
        media content that is relevant to their daily lives;
Whereas rural and agricultural programming includes agricultural weather, 
        agribusiness news, commodity market news, and western sports, and this 
        programming is important to the farmers and ranchers of the United 
        States for their way of life and making a living;
Whereas rural and agricultural programming covers matters that affect all 
        individuals in the United States;
Whereas all individuals in the United States need to be exposed to, and informed 
        about, what is occurring outside of the major cities and suburbs of the 
        United States;
Whereas all individuals in the United States feel the effects of inflation and 
        supply chain shortages, and rural and agricultural programming is in a 
        unique position to inform viewers of the roots of these issues;
Whereas the population of the world is projected to grow from 7,000,000,000 to 
        approximately 9,000,000,000 by 2050, and agricultural productivity will 
        need to increase to meet the growing demand for food and the projected 
        increase in consumption;
Whereas a decrease in investment in agricultural research and development would 
        result in a negative shock to agricultural productivity;
Whereas an informed public is key to supporting the proper level of investment 
        in agricultural research and development;
Whereas significant consolidation in the media market and prioritization of 
        consolidated media has had a negative impact on access to rural and 
        agricultural programming; and
Whereas multichannel video programming distributors and providers of digital and 
        streaming media should make delivery of rural and agricultural 
        programming, including agricultural news and western lifestyle content, 
        a priority: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate recognizes the importance of rural and 
agricultural programming and the need for greater access to rural and 
agricultural media programming.
                                 <all>