[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 188 (Thursday, November 16, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1581]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 INTRODUCTION OF THE FOOD AND FARM ACT

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                          HON. EARL BLUMENAUER

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 16, 2017

  Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Speaker, Congress will once again take up the 
Farm Bill--a massive piece of legislation governing U.S. agricultural 
policies that is debated every five years. The Farm Bill affects 
everything from human health to the environment, from our national debt 
to the price of a gallon of milk. I've long argued that it is one of 
the most important bills that Congress regularly considers.
  Time and time again, I've watched big agriculture businesses dominate 
Farm Bill negotiations, with the voices of those. who care about small 
and mid-sized farmers, conservation, research, and healthy food drowned 
out. Frustrated by the process, I've spent the past two years asking 
Oregon's farmers and ranchers, people in health care, nutrition, 
conservation, food processing and distribution, local government, and 
education, what they think the Farm Bill should look like.
  There is clear consensus that Congress really can do better when it 
comes to our nation's food policy, but that will require a stronger, 
more unified approach.
  Today, I am introducing an alternative Farm Bill, the Food and Farm 
Act. My bill follows four key principles to reforming our nation's food 
policies--focusing resources on those who need it most, fostering 
innovation, encouraging investments in people and the planet, and 
ensuring access to healthy foods. The legislation gets rid of certain 
expensive and inefficient subsidy programs so they can't be abused by 
wealthy agribusinesses. It also doubles funding to support 
environmental protection, invests in helping new and socially 
disadvantaged farmers, and ensures animals are more humanely treated.
  I'm looking forward to continuing the conversation in the coming 
months to make sure that Congress sets a food and farm policy that 
works for everyone.

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