[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 55 (Wednesday, March 26, 2025)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1841-S1842]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                              Agriculture

  Mr. THUNE. Mr. President, there is not much in our lives that doesn't 
depend in some way on agriculture: the food on our table, the gas in 
our car, the cotton in our shirts. Agriculture is the lifeblood of our 
country. I am grateful for the men and women who rise before the dawn 
for a hard day's work on farms and ranches across America.
  Agriculture is a difficult way of life. It is filled with 
uncertainty. Storms, drought, or an early freeze can wipe out entire 
crops or herds, sometimes in an instant. There is market volatility, 
processing and transportation challenges, and the list goes on.
  The last few years have been especially challenging for America's 
farmers and ranchers. They face declining commodity prices, higher 
input costs, and higher interest rates, not to mention the natural 
disasters that have struck many parts of the country.

[[Page S1842]]

Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall recently told the Agriculture 
Committee that ``in 2025, farmers will plant one of the most expensive 
crops ever.'' Many commodity producers are bracing for the prospect of 
serious financial losses this year.
  These challenges are real. That is why last December Congress 
approved relief funding for agriculture producers hit by economic 
headwinds as well as those affected by natural disasters. Secretary 
Rollins committed to getting these funds out the door quickly during 
her confirmation hearing. Last week, USDA announced that farmers could 
now apply for direct payments from the Emergency Commodity Assistance 
Program through their local farm service agency, and additional 
assistance for those affected by natural disasters will be available 
soon.
  Programs like the Emergency Commodity Assistance Program are designed 
to help farmers weather the current storm, but let's be clear: They are 
only temporary measures, and they are no substitute for an updated farm 
bill that provides the resources that farmers and ranchers need to face 
current conditions.
  When I became majority leader, I made it clear that a full and 
updated farm bill would be a priority for the new Republican majority. 
Secretary Rollins has been clear that this is a priority for the Trump 
administration as well. I appreciate the work that the Agriculture 
Committee is doing under Chairman Boozman to respond to the needs of 
farmers and ranchers.
  During my time in Congress, I have had a role in crafting four farm 
bills. This will be my fifth. It is a difficult task at any time, and 
it is harder when the situation is as dire as it is today. But Senate 
Republicans remain committed to finishing this important work and 
delivering a farm bill that ensures farmers and ranchers have the 
resources they need to face today's challenges and tomorrow's as well. 
I hope that our Democrat colleagues will join us in working 
productively to deliver this important legislation.
  Farmers and ranchers need certainty so they can plan for the future, 
and providing that certainty is a priority of mine. I have introduced a 
number of bills that I will work to see incorporated into the farm 
bill, including the Crop Insurance for Future Farmers Act and the 
Livestock Disaster Assistance Improvement Act, among others.
  Strengthening the farm safety net is an important priority of mine, 
as is a stable biofuels policy, including year-round access to E15 and 
timely and meaningful updates to the renewable volume obligations that 
matter to ethanol producers in America's heartland.
  I continue to advocate for eliminating the death tax once and for all 
so that no farmer or rancher has to worry about whether the family farm 
or ranch will be able to stay in the family after they pass.
  Life on a farm or ranch isn't easy, and I am grateful to all of our 
farmers and ranchers, including in my home State of South Dakota, for 
the remarkable job they do day in and day out feeding not only our 
country but the world.
  We have a responsibility to the men and women who work hard every day 
to deliver food, fuel, and fiber for America and the world. I look 
forward to continuing to work with my colleagues to deliver the updated 
legislation that farmers and ranchers need.
  I yield the floor.
  I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The senior assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. SCHUMER. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order 
for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Moreno). Without objection, it is so 
ordered.