[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 154 (Tuesday, September 24, 2019)]
[House]
[Pages H7870-H7871]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   EXPAND MARKETS FOR AMERICAN DAIRY

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Pennsylvania (Mr. Thompson) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, last month, I had the 
pleasure of hosting U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue for a 
dairy and agriculture summit in Pennsylvania's 15th District at Mount 
Aloysius College in Cresson, Pennsylvania.
  Joining the Secretary and I was Gary Groves, Executive Director of 
the USDA Pennsylvania Farm Service

[[Page H7871]]

Agency; Russell Redding, Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture 
secretary; and my colleagues Representative   John Joyce and 
Representative Fred Keller, among others.
  The purpose of the event was to learn from our farm families about 
what is working, what is not, and where they need support the most. It 
was a privilege to host so many hardworking dairy farmers and to learn 
from their experiences.
  It is important that there are resources available to help the dairy 
industry strengthen and grow. At the summit, we discussed these 
resources, like the USDA's new Dairy Margin Coverage Program. Programs 
like these are strengthening the safety net for farm families 
everywhere nationwide.
  This revamped, voluntary program is one of the many tools available 
to dairy farmers around the Nation that offers more options, more 
flexibility, and a better return on investment.
  Our Nation's farmers are always working hard. Owning and operating a 
farm is a 24/7, 365-day-a-year job. No matter where you are from, a 
strong agricultural industry benefits each and every one of our lives.
  Of course, the hard work of these men and women would be lost without 
strong market opportunities. We must do more to expand opportunities 
for American dairy products, both domestically and internationally.
  That means making pending trade agreements like the USMCA a reality 
by bringing it to a vote in the immediate future because Pennsylvania 
deserves freer markets, fairer trade, and increased economic 
opportunity.
  As the Commonwealth's number one industry, the importance of a strong 
agricultural sector cannot be overstated. As the largest sector of the 
Pennsylvania agricultural industry, dairy production remains critical.
  USMCA brings good news for dairy farmers in Pennsylvania and across 
the country, thanks to the elimination of Canada's class 6 and class 7 
dairy pricing, which has unfairly limited our export potential.
  Our agricultural industry, particularly our dairy farmers, are the 
backbone of Pennsylvania's economy, and their success directly impacts 
the well-being of the Commonwealth.
  Passing USMCA is long overdue. It is time to signal to our Nation's 
farmers, manufacturers, small business owners, and two closest trade 
partners that we are serious about securing a bright future for 
American exports.

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