[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 196 (Wednesday, December 12, 2018)]
[Senate]
[Pages S7455-S7456]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       BUSINESS BEFORE THE SENATE

  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, the end of the year is fast 
approaching. There are a number of important items left on the Senate's 
agenda and little time to address them. We will clear more of the 
President's well-qualified executive branch and judicial nominees from 
the calendar. We will consider updated legislation supported by the 
administration to address criminal justice. We need to pass an 
agreement to fill the remaining gaps in appropriations, including 
critical funding for securing our borders.
  Fortunately, the Senate took a major step yesterday by passing the 
farm bill. We got that much closer to delivering a big shot in the arm 
to farmers in rural communities across our country.
  Along with providing certainty to agricultural communities, I am 
especially proud that the legislation will open a new door for farmers 
in Kentucky and around the country to explore the full potential of 
industrial hemp. This is the culmination of a lot of work by a number 
of us here in Washington, but really the victory is for the growers, 
processors, manufacturers, and consumers who stand to benefit from this 
growing marketplace.
  American hemp has a long and distinguished history. Some of this very 
body's notable figures, including Thomas Jefferson and Henry Clay, are 
believed to have grown it. During World War II, the Federal Government 
even encouraged hemp production to support the war effort. 
Unfortunately, because of hemp's illicit cousin, marijuana, the Federal 
Government subsequently banned it altogether for generations.
  In 2013, Kentucky agricultural leaders showed me hemp's incredible 
potential for the Blue Grass State. We decided it was time to let 
America's farmers show everyone what hemp could do.
  First, I included experimental pilot programs for States like 
Kentucky in the 2014 farm bill, and the results have been undeniable. 
Hemp has quickly become a booming success. Its uses range from food and 
pharmaceuticals to home insulation and automobile parts. Enthusiastic 
farmers quickly applied to plant the crop in their fields, 
entrepreneurs opened businesses selling hemp-based products, and 
consumers got to enjoy a whole new set of goods featuring American-made 
hemp. In my home State alone, farmers grew in excess of 3,200 acres of 
hemp in 2017. This year, the number of acres more than doubled. 
Estimates show that, once legalized, sales from hemp will soon surpass 
$1 billion.
  Watching this remarkable success, we knew it was time to take the 
next step. I introduced legislation to finally and fully legalize hemp. 
Working with agricultural leaders and law enforcement in Kentucky and 
here in Washington, we built support.
  As a member of the Agriculture Committee, I was proud that the 
legislation was included in the Senate's version of the farm bill. I 
was proud to serve personally on the conference committee to ensure 
that the language stayed in place. Yesterday, the Senate passed the 
conference report. The House will pass it as early as later today, and 
this provision and the rest of the farm bill will be on its way to 
President Trump's desk to become law.

[[Page S7456]]

  What exactly will this legislation do? The farm bill we passed 
yesterday both legalizes hemp as an agricultural commodity and removes 
it from the controlled substances list. It gives States the opportunity 
to be the primary overseers of hemp production. It also allows hemp 
researchers to apply for competitive Federal grants from the U.S. 
Department of Agriculture and made hemp eligible for crop insurance.
  Together, these features will encourage new opportunities for 
struggling farmers and their families--new products for use in 
construction, healthcare, and manufacturing, and new jobs in a broad 
range of fields.
  I have been honored to gain many partners throughout this process. 
Here in the Senate, thanks to the leading Democratic cosponsor of our 
original bill, Senator Wyden, and to my Kentucky colleague, Senator 
Paul. Congressman Jamie Comer has championed hemp for years and 
sponsored our legislation in the House. In Kentucky, Commissioner Ryan 
Quarles has been a longtime ally of this crop's bright future in our 
Commonwealth.
  I look forward to the House passing our farm bill soon and sending it 
to President Trump for his signature. I would be happy to loan him my 
hemp pen for the occasion.

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