[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 27 (Monday, February 10, 2020)]
[House]
[Pages H983-H986]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         PROTECTING AMERICA'S FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ACT OF 2019

  Ms. TORRES SMALL of New Mexico. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the 
rules and pass the bill (S. 2107) to increase the number of CBP 
Agriculture Specialists and support staff in the Office of Field 
Operations of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and for other 
purposes.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                                S. 2107

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Protecting America's Food 
     and Agriculture Act of 2019''.

     SEC. 2. FINDING.

       Congress finds that--
       (1) it is in the national security interest of the United 
     States to ensure that the Nation's food supply is 
     sufficiently protected; and
       (2) a vital part of such protection is the availability of 
     adequate resources at the border to conduct inspections of 
     incoming food and agricultural goods.

     SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.

       In this Act:
       (1) Appropriate congressional committees.--The term 
     ``appropriate congressional committees'' means--
       (A) the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental 
     Affairs of the Senate;
       (B) the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry 
     of the Senate;
       (C) the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of 
     Representatives; and
       (D) the Committee on Agriculture of the House of 
     Representatives.
       (2) CBP.--The term ``CBP'' means U.S. Customs and Border 
     Protection.

     SEC. 4. ADDITIONAL U.S. CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION 
                   PERSONNEL.

       (a) CBP Agriculture Specialists.--The Commissioner of U.S. 
     Customs and Border Protection may hire, train, and assign 240 
     new CBP Agriculture Specialists above the current attrition 
     level during every fiscal year until the total number of CBP 
     Agriculture Specialists equals and sustains the requirements 
     identified each year in the Agriculture Resource Allocation 
     Model.
       (b) Mission and Operational Support Staff.--
       (1) In general.--The Commissioner of U.S. Customs and 
     Border Protection may hire, train, and assign support staff 
     to support CBP Agriculture Specialists.
       (2) CBP agriculture technicians.--The Commissioner of U.S. 
     Customs and Border Protection may hire, train, and assign 200 
     new CBP Agriculture Technicians during each fiscal year until 
     the total number of CBP Agriculture Technicians equals and 
     sustains the requirements identified each year in the Mission 
     and Operational Support Resource Allocation Model.
       (c) CBP Agriculture Canine Teams.--The Commissioner of U.S. 
     Customs and Border Protection may hire, train, and assign 20 
     new CBP agriculture canine teams during each of the first 3 
     fiscal years beginning after the date of the enactment of 
     this Act.
       (d) Traffic Forecasts.--In calculating the number of CBP 
     Agriculture Specialists needed at each port of entry through 
     the Agriculture Resource Allocation Model, the Office of 
     Field Operations shall--
       (1) rely on data collected regarding the inspections and 
     other activities conducted at each such port of entry; and
       (2) consider volume from seasonal surges, other projected 
     changes in commercial and passenger volumes, the most current 
     commercial forecasts, and other relevant information.
       (e) Authorization of Appropriations.--
       (1) CBP agriculture specialists.--There is authorized to be 
     appropriated to carry out subsection (a)--
       (A) $29,900,000 for fiscal year 2020;
       (B) $36,100,000 for fiscal year 2021; and
       (C) $40,500,000 for fiscal year 2022.
       (2) CBP agriculture technicians.--There is authorized to be 
     appropriated to carry out subsection (b)--
       (A) $11,000,000 for fiscal year 2020;
       (B) $25,000,000 for fiscal year 2021; and
       (C) $38,000,000 for fiscal year 2022.
       (3) CBP agriculture canine teams.--There is authorized to 
     be appropriated to carry out subsection (c)--
       (A) $3,500,000 for fiscal year 2020;
       (B) $7,400,000 for fiscal year 2021; and
       (C) $12,200,000 for fiscal year 2022.
       (4) Training.--There is authorized to be appropriated for 
     training costs associated with the new CBP personnel and 
     canine teams hired pursuant to subsections (a), (b), and (c) 
     $6,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2020, 2021, and 2022.

     SEC. 5. GAO STUDY, BRIEFING, AND REPORT.

       (a) Study.--The Comptroller General of the United States, 
     after consultation with the appropriate congressional 
     committees, shall conduct a review of the efforts of the 
     Department of Homeland Security, the Department of 
     Agriculture, and other Federal agencies to address risks to 
     the agricultural supply that analyzes--
       (1) interagency coordination and the distribution of 
     responsibilities among Federal agencies with respect to the 
     inspection of agricultural commodities entering the United 
     States;
       (2) the effectiveness of such inspection responsibilities 
     among Federal agencies; and
       (3) the training provided to, and working conditions of, 
     CBP Agriculture Specialists.
       (b) Briefing.--Not later than 1 year after the date of the 
     enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall brief 
     the appropriate congressional committees regarding the 
     results of the study conducted pursuant to subsection (a).
       (c) Report.--Not later than 90 days after the briefing 
     required under subsection (b), the Comptroller General shall 
     complete the study required under subsection (a) and make the 
     results of the study available to the public.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from 
New Mexico (Ms. Torres Small) and the gentleman from Texas (Mr. 
Crenshaw) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from New Mexico.


                             General Leave

  Ms. TORRES SMALL of New Mexico. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent 
that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their 
remarks and to include extraneous material on this measure.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentlewoman from New Mexico?
  There was no objection.
  Ms. TORRES SMALL of New Mexico. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time 
as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of Senator Peters' bill, the 
Protecting America's Food and Agriculture Act of 2019.
  This bill comes at a time of crisis for America's agricultural 
industry. Threats from illnesses abroad endanger the domestic pork 
industry, while trade tensions have strained relationships with the 
international consumers our Nation's farmers supply.
  The African swine flu, ASF, is a particular threat. A devastating 
illness that is still being studied, this flu has not made its way to 
the United States, and steps are being taken to ensure that it does 
not.

                              {time}  1545

  Agricultural inspectors within U.S. Customs and Border Protection are 
crucial in protecting our livestock and agricultural products from 
potential disease outbreaks. They are charged with scanning all 
incoming agricultural cargo and passengers to ensure that products are 
not coming into the United States that are diseased or contain pests.
  S. 2107 provides for the hiring of additional inspectors to augment 
the workforce that is in place at our ports of entry. I commend Senator 
Gary Peters for introducing this timely measure and also acknowledge my

[[Page H984]]

House colleague, Representative Filemon Vela, who introduced companion 
legislation.
  The need for greater agricultural inspection resources at the border 
is critical. That is why stakeholders and leaders from across the 
Nation have spoken out in support of S. 2107. The message from over 150 
organizations that either produce pork or are involved in the industry 
and the Governors from Utah, North Dakota, Ohio, Arkansas, Tennessee, 
Idaho, South Carolina, South Dakota, Iowa, Nebraska, and Oklahoma is 
loud and clear: Get this bill to the President so it can be enacted 
into law.
  This level of support demonstrates the vital need to pass this 
legislation with all possible haste. We must provide CBP with the 
resources needed to ensure a continued vitality of the American 
agricultural industry.
  Today, we are protecting American pork. Tomorrow, it may be New 
Mexican chiles. That is why this is so important.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I reserve 
the balance of my time.
                                         House of Representatives,


                                     Committee on Agriculture,

                                 Washington, DC, February 3, 2020.
     Hon. Bennie Thompson,
     Chairman, Committee on Homeland Security,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Chairman Thompson: This letter confirms our mutual 
     understanding regarding S. 2107, the ``Protecting America's 
     Food and Agriculture Act of 2019''. Thank you for 
     collaborating with the Committee on Agriculture on the 
     matters within its jurisdiction.
       The Committee on Agriculture will forego any further 
     consideration of this bill so that it may proceed 
     expeditiously to the House floor. However, by foregoing 
     consideration at this time, we do not waive any jurisdiction 
     over the subject matter contained in this or similar 
     legislation. We request that our committee be consulted and 
     involved as this bill or similar legislation moves forward so 
     that we may address any remaining issues in our jurisdiction. 
     Our committee also reserves the right to seek appointment of 
     an appropriate number of conferees to any House-Senate 
     conference involving this or similar legislation and ask that 
     you support any such request.
       We would appreciate a response to this letter confirming 
     this understanding with respect to S. 2107, and request that 
     a copy of our letters on this matter be published in the 
     Congressional Record during Floor consideration.
           Sincerely,
                                               Collin C. Peterson,
     Chairman.
                                  ____

                                   Committee on Homeland Security,


                                     House of Representatives,

                                 Washington, DC, February 3, 2020.
     Hon. Collin Peterson,
     Chairman, Committee on Agriculture,
     House of Representatives, Washington, DC.
       Dear Chairman Peterson: Thank you for your letter regarding 
     S. 2107, the ``Protecting America's Food and Agriculture Act 
     of 2019.'' I recognize that the Committee on Agriculture has 
     a jurisdictional interest in S. 2107, and appreciate your 
     effort to allow this bill to be considered on the House 
     floor.
       I concur with you that forgoing action on the bill does not 
     in any way prejudice the Committee on Agriculture with 
     respect to its jurisdictional prerogatives on this bill or 
     similar legislation in the future, and I would support your 
     effort to seek appointment of an appropriate number of 
     conferees to any House-Senate conference involving this 
     legislation.
       I will include our letters on S. 2107 in the Congressional 
     Record during floor consideration of this bill. I look 
     forward to working with you on this legislation and other 
     matters of great importance to this nation.
           Sincerely,
                                               Bennie G. Thompson,
                                                         Chairman.

  Mr. CRENSHAW. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  I rise in support of S. 2107, the Protecting America's Food and 
Agriculture Act of 2019.
  As we know, much of the food and agricultural goods we consume come 
from all over the world, whether it be fruit, vegetables, herbs, or cut 
flowers.
  As food and other agricultural goods arrive at our ports of entry, 
U.S. Customs and Border Protection agricultural specialists have a 
tremendous responsibility. They inspect those products to safeguard the 
U.S. food supply, the economy, and agriculture from potentially harmful 
or dangerous pests, pathogens, invasive plants, and agroterrorism.
  CBP has advised Congress that there are hundreds of agriculture-
related position vacancies at the agency on top of thousands of Border 
Patrol, customs officer, and other law enforcement vacancies. S. 2107 
encourages CBP to hire, train, and assign agriculture specialists and 
associated support staff, technicians, and K-9 teams, and authorizes 
appropriations to do so.
  The bill requires CBP to consider quantifiable inspection data, 
seasonal surge volumes, and projected changes in commercial forecasts 
at each port of entry when determining staffing needs.
  The bill also directs the Comptroller General to conduct a review of 
Federal efforts to address risks to the agricultural supply that 
analyzes interagency coordination, effectiveness of inspections, and 
training and working conditions.
  While I support this bill, I also encourage my colleagues to work 
across the aisle to provide CBP with the resources necessary to fill 
all of their sensitive position vacancies, including those at Border 
Patrol.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to support S. 2107, and I reserve 
the balance of my time.
  Ms. TORRES SMALL of New Mexico. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the 
gentleman from Mississippi (Mr. Thompson).
  Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for 
yielding.
  I rise in strong support of S. 2107, the Protecting America's Food 
and Agriculture Act of 2019.
  Americans are blessed to live in a country where, in most 
communities, we can find healthy, fresh foods at our grocery stores. 
That does not just happen. Our Nation's food supply and agricultural 
industry make it happen.
  As such, the agricultural industry is an indispensable sector of our 
national economy. Every year, millions and millions of pounds of fresh 
fruits, vegetables, cheeses, and meats enter the United States via 
commercial shipments from other countries.
  While this flow of agricultural trade is fundamental to our economy 
and way of life, it does carry with it risk of importation diseases, 
pests, and compromised products.
  To address this risk, agricultural inspectors in the U.S. Customs and 
Border Protection inspect incoming food and agricultural goods at our 
land, air, and sea ports.
  Additionally, these inspectors interview passengers on incoming 
international flights to determine whether they are carrying prohibited 
agricultural items, because even an accidental transmission of a 
foreign pest or disease into our country could potentially devastate 
our agricultural system.
  With African swine flu rampant in Asia, accounting for the deaths of 
millions of pigs as a result of disease, or to control this deadly 
disease, it is critical that the U.S. have adequate inspection 
resources in place.
  S. 2107 would help ensure that we have agriculture inspectors in 
place to perform this critical mission.
  I commend my counterpart in the Senate Homeland Security and 
Governmental Affairs Committee, Senator Gary Peters, and my former 
committee colleague Representative Filemon Vela for their leadership on 
this timely effort.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this 
measure and send this bill to the President's desk.
  Mr. CRENSHAW. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from 
Illinois (Mr. Bost).
  Mr. BOST. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding.
  I rise today in support of S. 2107, which will help ensure the safety 
and security of our agricultural imports.
  The U.S. agriculture sector is a vitally important component of the 
American economy. In my district alone, agriculture is responsible for 
over 30,000 jobs and adds $2 billion to the economy.
  In China, African swine fever has killed more hogs than the entire 
U.S. herd combined. We must do everything we can to protect our 
domestic herds against the same fate.
  In authorizing more CBP agriculture specialists and K-9 teams at our 
ports of entry, we can ensure the safety of our livestock while 
preserving billions of dollars in potential losses to American 
agriculture.
  On behalf of thousands of livestock producers in my district, I urge 
my colleagues to support the passage of this bill.
  Ms. TORRES SMALL of New Mexico. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the 
gentleman from Texas (Mr. Vela).

[[Page H985]]

  

  Mr. VELA. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding.
  I rise in support of S. 2107, the Protecting America's Food and 
Agriculture Act of 2019. I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of this 
crucial bill.
  I introduced this important legislation in the U.S. House of 
Representatives with support from Members of both sides of the aisle. 
This bipartisan bill authorizes the hiring of additional agricultural 
specialists, agricultural technicians, and agricultural K-9 teams at 
our international ports of entry and has the support of nearly one 
dozen Governors and over 150 agriculture and trade stakeholders across 
this country.
  Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record letters from Governors and 
industry groups addressing their support for this bill.

                                                    State of Utah,


                                       Office of the Governor,

                             Salt Lake City, UT, January 31, 2020.
     Hon. Bennie G. Thompson,
     Chairman, Committee on Homeland Security,
     House of Representatives, Washington, DC.
     Hon. Mike Rogers,
     Ranking Member, Committee on Homeland Security, House of 
         Representatives, Washington, DC.
       Dear Chairman Thompson and Ranking Member Rogers: I 
     appreciate your work leading the House Committee on Homeland 
     Security. I write today in support of H.R. 4482, Protecting 
     America's Food & Agriculture Act of 2019. The bill would 
     authorize funding to hire additional Customs and Border 
     Protection (CBP) personnel to help conduct Agriculture 
     Quarantine Inspection services at the United States' ports of 
     entry.
       Utah has a robust agricultural sector, including a pork 
     industry that is an important part of our state's economy. We 
     are genuinely concerned about the potential impact of 
     agricultural pests and diseases, including African Swine 
     Fever. The Fever has not yet impacted the United States, but 
     is wreaking havoc in other parts of the world and would pose 
     a significant threat to the U.S. pork industry.
       Through regional and national partnerships, we spend 
     considerable effort as a state to detect and combat diseases 
     and prevent outbreaks. However we need the federal 
     government's support to prevent disease transmissions from 
     foreign sources.
       Thank you again for your work, and please let me know if 
     can be helpful.
           Sincerely,
                                                  Gary R. Herbert,
     Governor.
                                  ____

                                                 February 5, 2020.
     Chairman Bennie G. Thompson,
     House of Representatives, House Committee on Homeland 
         Security, Washington, DC.
     Ranking Member Mike Rogers,
     House of Representatives, Committee on Homeland Security, 
         Washington, DC.
       Dear Chairman Thompson and Ranking Member Rogers: We the 
     undersigned Governors request that the Committee on Homeland 
     Security swiftly report out without amendment H.R. 4482, 
     Protecting America's Food & Agriculture Act of 2019. This 
     bill authorizes funding to hire additional Customs and Border 
     Protection (CBP) personnel which are critically needed to 
     conduct Agriculture Quarantine Inspection services at the 
     Unites States' ports of entry. The Senate version of this 
     bill, S. 2107, has been approved by the Senate by unanimous 
     consent and we are hopeful that it will be placed on the 
     House suspension calendar.
       The U.S. agriculture sector is vital to the American 
     economy, generating over $1 trillion in annual economic 
     activity. Threats to the vitality of American agriculture 
     present a danger to economic security at the local and state 
     level across our nation. Indeed, the U.S. Department of 
     Agriculture has calculated that foreign agricultural pests 
     and diseases already cost the American economy tens of 
     billions of dollars annually. We must vigilantly protect our 
     borders against diseases such as African Swine Fever (ASF), 
     which has killed more than one out of every four pigs on the 
     planet and would have a devastating impact on U.S. livestock 
     producers, their communities, and the economy if it were to 
     reach the USA.
       CBP employees perform critically important agricultural 
     inspections every day at our nation's ports of entry. CBP 
     Agricultural Specialists play a vital role in both trade and 
     travel safety and preventing the introduction of harmful 
     foreign animal diseases such as ASF and exotic plant pests 
     into the U.S. CBP has been chronically understaffed at the 
     ports of entry and currently reports a deficit of 721 
     Agriculture Specialists. Passage of the Protecting America's 
     Food and Agriculture Act of 2019 will help close this gap by 
     authorizing the hiring of 240 CBP Agriculture Specialists and 
     200 CBP Agriculture Technicians each year until the staffing 
     shortage is closed.
       The bill also authorizes the training and assignment each 
     year of 20 new Agricultural Canine Teams, which are valuable 
     assets in the detection of illicit fruits, vegetables and 
     animal products that otherwise may be missed during 
     inspections. These specially trained dogs have already 
     demonstrated their ability to sniff out agricultural products 
     that pose a danger. Finally, the bill authorizes supplemental 
     appropriations each year to pay for the activities of the 
     agriculture specialists, technicians and canine teams.
       We ask that Congress authorize and fund the needed CBP 
     Agriculture Specialists, Canine Teams and support staff to 
     fully staff our international ports of entry. This investment 
     will significantly enhance mitigation of national security 
     threats, address public safety risks and grow the economy. We 
     urge you to quickly discharge S. 2107/H.R. 4482 without 
     amendments and advocate for its swift passage on the House 
     suspension calendar.
           Sincerely,
       Hon. Doug Burgum, Governor of North Dakota; Hon. Mike 
     DeWine, Governor of Ohio; Hon. Gary Herbert, Governor of 
     Utah; Hon. Asa Hutchinson, Governor of Arkansas; Hon. Bill 
     Lee, Governor of Tennessee; Hon. Brad Little, Governor of 
     Idaho; Hon. Henry McMaster, Governor of South Carolina; Hon. 
     Kristi Noem, Governor of South Dakota; Hon. Kim Reynolds, 
     Governor of Iowa; Hon. Pete Ricketts, Governor of Nebraska; 
     Hon. Kevin Stitt, Governor of Oklahoma.
                                  ____

                                                 January 22, 2020.
     Chairman Bennie G. Thompson,
     House of Representatives, House Committee on Homeland 
         Security, Washington, DC.
     Ranking Member Mike Rogers,
     House of Representatives, Committee on Homeland Security, 
         Washington, DC.
       Dear Chairman Thompson and Ranking Member Rogers: The 
     undersigned groups request that the Committee on Homeland 
     Security expeditiously report out, without amendment, H.R. 
     4482, Protecting Americas Food & Agriculture Act of 2019, a 
     bill authorizing funding to hire additional Customs and 
     Border Protection (CBP) personnel needed to conduct 
     Agriculture Quarantine Inspection at the international ports 
     of entry. The Senate version of this bill, S. 2107, was 
     recently approved by the Senate by unanimous consent.
       The U.S. agriculture sector is a crucial component of the 
     American economy, generating over $1 trillion in annual 
     economic activity. According to the U.S. Department of 
     Agriculture, foreign pests and diseases cost the American 
     economy tens of billions of dollars annually. CBP employees 
     perform critically important agricultural inspections every 
     day at the nation's ports of entry. CBP Agricultural 
     Specialists play a vital role in both trade and travel safety 
     and prevent the introduction of harmful foreign animal 
     diseases and exotic plant pests into the U.S. Diseases such 
     as African Swine Fever, which has killed more than one out of 
     every four pigs on the planet, would have a devastating 
     impact on U.S. livestock producers, their communities, and 
     the economy if introduced into the U.S.
       For years, CBP has been chronically understaffed at U.S. 
     ports of entry. The most recent results of CBP's Agriculture 
     Specialist Resource Allocation Model (AgRAM) shows a need for 
     an additional 721 Agriculture Specialists. Passage of the 
     Protecting America's Food and Agriculture Act of 2019 would 
     authorize CBP to hire 240 Agriculture Specialists and 200 
     Agriculture Technicians each year until the staffing shortage 
     determined by AgRAM is remedied. The bill also authorizes the 
     training and assignment each year of 20 new Agricultural 
     Canine Teams, which have proven valuable in detecting illicit 
     fruits, vegetables, and animal products that may have 
     otherwise been missed in initial inspections. These specially 
     trained dogs are already being utilized by CBP to sniff out 
     potentially contaminated products. Finally, the bill 
     authorizes supplemental appropriations each year to pay for 
     the activities of agriculture specialists, technicians, and 
     canine teams.
       We ask Congress to authorize and fund the needed CBP 
     Agriculture Specialists, Canine Teams, and support staff at 
     the international ports of entry to guard against national 
     security threats, address public safety risks, and grow the 
     economy. To achieve this goal, we urge you to quickly 
     discharge S. 2107 /H.R. 4482 without amendment and push for 
     its swift passage in the House.
           Respectfully submitted,
       Agri-Mark Dairy Cooperative, Airports Council 
     International-North America, Alabama Pork Producers, American 
     Dairy Coalition, American Farm Bureau Federation, American 
     Feed Industry Association, American Kennel Club, American 
     Sheep Industry Association, American Veterinary Medical 
     Association, AmericanHort, Border Trade Alliance, California 
     Agricultural Commissioners and Sealers Association, 
     California Citrus Mutual, California Farm Bureau Federation, 
     California Pork Producers Association, California Poultry 
     Federation, Colorado Pork Producers Council, Dairy Producers 
     of New Mexico, Dairy Producers of Utah, Fresh Produce 
     Association of the Americas, Hawaii Pork Producers, Idaho 
     Pork Producers Association.
       Illinois Pork Producers Association, Indiana Pork Producers 
     Association, Iowa Pork Producers Association, Kansas Pork 
     Association, Kentucky Pork Producers Association, Louisiana 
     Farm Bureau Federation, Louisiana Pork Producers Association, 
     Louisiana Rice Producers Group, Michigan Agri-Business, 
     Michigan Pork Producers Association, Minnesota Pork Producers 
     Association, Mississippi Farm Bureau, Mississippi Pork 
     Producers Association, Missouri Pork Association, Montana 
     Pork Producers Council, National Animal Interest Alliance, 
     National

[[Page H986]]

     Association of State Departments of Agriculture, National 
     Cattlemen's Beef Association, National Christmas Tree 
     Association, National Council of Farmer Cooperatives, 
     National Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association of 
     America.
       National Grain and Feed Association, National Milk 
     Producers Federation. National Pork Producers Council, 
     National Potato Council, National Sorghum Producers, National 
     Treasury Employees Union, National Turkey Federation, 
     Nebraska Pork Producers Association, Inc., North American 
     Meat Institute, North American Renderers Association, North 
     Carolina Pork Council, North Dakota Pork Council, Northeast 
     Dairy Farmers Cooperatives, Northwest Chicken Council, 
     Oklahoma Pork Council, Oregon Dairy Farmers Association, 
     Oregon Pork Producers, Oregon Women for Agriculture, 
     Pennsylvania Pork Producers Council, Pet Food Institute.
       Rural & Agriculture Council of America, South Dakota Pork 
     Producers Council, Tennessee Pork Producers Association, 
     Texas Broiler Council, Texas Citrus Mutual, Texas Egg 
     Council, Texas International Produce Association, Texas Pork 
     Producers Association, Texas Poultry Federation, Texas Rice 
     Producers Legislative Group, Texas Turkey Federation, United 
     Egg Producers, United Fresh Produce Association, United 
     States Cattlemen's Association, United States Chamber of 
     Commerce, USA Rice Federation, Utah Pork Producers, Virginia 
     Pork Council, Inc., Washington State Dairy Federation, 
     Washington State Potato Commission, Wisconsin Pork 
     Association.

  Mr. VELA. The U.S. agriculture sector is crucial to our economy and 
generates more than $1 trillion in annual economic activity.
  In 2017, Texas farms sold $24.9 billion in agricultural products, a 
significant contribution to the State's economy. However, with 
increasing levels of trade, threats to the United States' agricultural 
sector are growing. Foreign pests and diseases cost our economy tens of 
billions of dollars per year.
  Agricultural specialists at our ports of entry intercept thousands of 
invasive pests and prevent the introduction of foreign animal diseases, 
such as the African swine fever, into the United States, protecting our 
natural resources and our economy.
  Unfortunately, a shortage of agricultural specialists exists at our 
U.S. ports of entry, which is why this legislation is so important. 
This bill would ensure that we have enough agricultural specialists, 
technicians, and K-9 teams to adequately perform agricultural 
quarantine inspections at our international ports of entry.
  I ask my colleagues to support swift passage of the Protecting 
America's Food and Agriculture Act of 2019. I thank my colleague, 
Senator Peters, for his collaboration on this crucial bill and our 
Texas colleagues in the Senate, Senators Cornyn and Cruz, and 
Representative Crenshaw for their leadership in this effort.
  Mr. CRENSHAW. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from 
Minnesota (Mr. Hagedorn).
  Mr. HAGEDORN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the Protecting America's 
Food and Agriculture Act. I think this bill is a great example of how 
the House can work together, particularly across committee lines. Here, 
we have Homeland Security Committee and Agriculture Committee folks 
working together in the House and the Senate.
  This is a critical piece of legislation in order to make sure we do 
everything possible to protect our food supply, our farmers, and 
agribusiness.
  I have been focused very intently on this whole African swine fever 
threat for many months. When you look at it in China, it has ravaged 
their hog supply. Literally, over 50 percent of the hogs in China have 
had to be slaughtered because of it.
  That disease has moved to Thailand, Vietnam, and the Philippines. It 
is in Poland, moving toward Germany and the European Union. It is an 
incredible threat, and it has caused a lot of destruction.
  In my district in southern Minnesota, I happen to represent some of 
the finest agricultural producers in all the world, including livestock 
producers and many in pork production. Our district is number two in 
the whole country for pork production.
  When you look at what is going on with African swine fever, it is 
obviously both an opportunity and a challenge. The opportunity is that 
there is going to be a need for our products--our pork supply, poultry, 
and other things. Our producers are going to have a chance to export 
around the world, perhaps even enhance and expand their operations.
  Of course, the challenge is: What happens if the African swine fever 
gets in the United States? If African swine fever enters the United 
States, it is not going to hurt just our pork producers. It is going to 
hurt our corn and soybean growers, and the people who pack the meat, 
transport the meat, all the people down the line to Main Street. It is 
going to drive up the prices for our consumers, and we can't let that 
happen.
  That is why this bill is so important, to enhance the inspectors at 
these ports of entry and to make sure that the Beagle Brigades, as they 
are called, are upgraded. They do a terrific job of sniffing out the 
pork.
  I completely support this legislation, and I would ask my colleagues 
to consider this thought in the future, of perhaps putting together a 
task force between the Department of Agriculture and the Department of 
Homeland Security to make sure that they are working in cooperation.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The time of the gentleman has expired.
  Mr. CRENSHAW. Mr. Speaker, I yield an additional 30 seconds to the 
gentleman from Minnesota.
  Mr. HAGEDORN. Mr. Speaker, I think a task force would be great, in 
order to make sure that these Departments are coordinating and working 
together. Then we in the Congress can interact with them in a better 
fashion.
  We have to do every last thing we can to protect our food production 
and our American agricultural producers from this and other infectious 
diseases. I encourage everyone to support this bill.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the Protecting America's Food 
and Agriculture Act.
  Agriculture is key to southern Minnesota's economy, but a shortage of 
Agricultural inspectors at America's ports of entries puts our 
production at risk from infectious diseases.
  African Swine Fever has torn through China's hog population and is 
currently spreading throughout Europe and Asia--with recent outbreaks 
reported in the Philippines and Greece.
  Foreign Ag Diseases like the High Path Avian Influenza outbreak in 
2014 cost the poultry industry $1.6 billion. Foreign Ag Diseases affect 
the whole food supply chain, reducing demand and prices for crops like 
corn and soybeans, and increasing the price of food at the supermarket.
  With the recent outbreak of the Coronavirus, it is critical that we 
protect our American food and agriculture from pests and foreign-born 
diseases, so that we can continue to supply high quality products 
around the world.
  Our farmers are ready to meet this challenge. Minnesota's agriculture 
exports skyrocketed by 263 percent in the past ten years. And pork 
products alone account for 10 percent of all Minnesota Ag exports, 
therefore an outbreak of the ASF would have a significant impact on our 
economy.
  This legislation will help CBP acquire the necessary resources to 
hire, train and assign agricultural specialists and support staff for 
canine teams that will detect and prevent the spread of ASF and other 
foreign-born diseases at our ports of entry. I urge my colleagues to 
join me in support of this bill in the name of protecting our food 
supply.
  Mr. CRENSHAW. Mr. Speaker, I urge adoption of the bill, and I yield 
back the balance of my time.
  Ms. TORRES SMALL of New Mexico. Mr. Speaker, agricultural inspectors 
at our ports of entry play a vital role in protecting one of the most 
important things there is: the food we eat.
  This bill will help protect every American as they sit down at the 
dinner table. I commend my colleagues, Congressman Vela and Senator 
Peters, for their work on this important bipartisan legislation.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I yield 
back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentlewoman from New Mexico (Ms. Torres Small) that the House suspend 
the rules and pass the bill, S. 2107.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the bill was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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