[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 130 (Thursday, July 27, 2023)]
[House]
[Pages H4059-H4060]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       PASS THIS YEAR'S FARM BILL

  (Mr. LaMALFA asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. LaMALFA. Mr. Speaker, soon the House Committee on Rules will 
begin its consideration of this year's farm bill. This is a bill to 
include some of the top priorities for not only northern California, 
but the whole country, as my own district is home to some of the most 
productive agricultural regions in the world.
  We are the second largest rice-growing region in the Nation, and we 
grow over half of all the dried plums, also known as prunes, produced 
in the world. Our farmers are international leaders in almond and 
walnut production, among other crops.
  The farm bill gives farmers the tools they need to manage their risks 
during a difficult economic year or a natural disaster with the 
insurance that has been so successful over the recent years. It 
strengthens incentives for our next generation of farmers, as our 
farmers' average age is well into the sixties now.
  Beyond agriculture, it allocates resources to programs that are vital 
to the economic well-being of our area, and all rural areas that have 
agriculture, by funding rural health projects that help our communities 
address a growing opioid addiction issue and other substance abuse 
disorders.
  It provides funding to close the rural and urban digital divide by 
improving broadband connectivity in rural areas.

[[Page H4060]]

It is really important that we get onboard with the farm bill this fall 
and pass it on time.

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