[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 94 (Wednesday, June 3, 2026)]
[House]
[Pages H3777-H3778]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       FIGHTING FOR AG PRODUCERS

  (Mr. Mann of Kansas was recognized to address the House for 5 
minutes.)
  Mr. MANN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today at an important time for American 
agriculture. Across the country and certainly in the Big First District 
of Kansas, farmers, ranchers, and agricultural producers are doing what 
they have always done. They are working hard, taking risks, caring for 
their land and livestock, and helping feed, fuel, and clothe the world.
  Anyone who spends time with producers knows the truth: Farmers are 
facing real pressure right now. Producers are facing high input costs, 
tight margins, market uncertainty, and the lasting effects of 4 years 
of overregulation and sky-high inflation under the Biden 
administration.
  Farmers and ranchers do not need Washington to make their jobs 
harder. They need Washington to understand the challenges they face and 
get out of their way. That is exactly what President Trump, Secretary 
Brooke Rollins, and House Republicans are doing.
  We have real leadership that understands the basic truth that food 
security is national security. A country that cannot feed itself is not 
secure, and a world without access to American-grown commodities is 
worse off as a result.
  That is why House Republicans have been focused on delivering results 
for farmers, ranchers, producers, and rural America.
  At the end of April, the House passed the Farm, Food, and National 
Security Act of 2026, which gives producers the stability and certainty 
that they deserve, authorizes key farm programs, expands market access, 
improves access to credit, and invests in rural America.
  In May, the House passed legislation to allow E15 fuel to be sold 
year-round nationwide, another commonsense win that strengthens markets 
for producers, supports American energy, and gives families more 
choices at the pump.
  Later this week, the House will also vote on fiscal year 2027 
Agriculture appropriations bills. This legislation keeps USDA focused 
on its core mission: supporting American agriculture, protecting our 
food supply, investing in rural communities, and making sure farmers 
and ranchers have the tools they need to succeed.
  I am proud that I have pushed for the inclusion of Kansas priorities, 
such as funding for Food for Peace, McGovern-Dole, agricultural 
research, and efforts to align USDA more closely with American farmers.
  One of the best examples of Republicans' dedication to the 
agricultural economy is Food for Peace. Food for Peace is a Kansas-born 
idea. It began when Cheyenne County farmer Peter O'Brien, whose 
proposal to use surplus American commodities to feed hungry nations was 
adopted by the Kansas Farm Bureau, sponsored in Congress by Kansas 
Senator Andy Schoeppel, and signed into law by President Dwight D. 
Eisenhower in 1954.
  More than 70 years later, that idea is still powerful: American 
farmers helping feed hungry people around the world. That program 
belongs at USDA, where American-grown commodities remain at the center 
of the mission. Moving Food for Peace back home to its rightful place 
is better not only for farmers but for taxpayers and a hungry world.
  The farm bill we passed in April includes my legislation to 
permanently move Food for Peace to USDA, and the Ag appropriations bill 
continues funding for the program.
  Last week, I was proud to host USDA Under Secretary for Trade and 
Foreign Agricultural Affairs Luke Lindberg in the Big First District of 
Kansas. We visited Kansas State University's milling science facilities 
and international grains programs, the Kansas Wheat Innovation Center, 
and the ADM milling facility in Abilene. Under Secretary Lindberg 
understands what Kansas producers know to be true: We need consistent 
buyers, strong markets, and a Federal Government that fights for 
American agriculture abroad.
  President Trump and Secretary Rollins embody that well. They are 
putting producers first, expanding opportunities for American 
agriculture, and restoring common sense at USDA. After years of 
inflation, overregulation, and missed opportunities, this leadership is 
needed, and I am grateful for all the changes.

[[Page H3778]]

  Mr. Speaker, agriculture is the backbone of the Big First District 
and our country. Our farmers and ranchers do more than just produce 
food. They strengthen our economy. They support rural communities. They 
fuel our Nation. They help feed a hungry world. They remind us that 
America's strength has always been with our hardworking farmers and 
ranchers.
  House Republicans are delivering for those producers. We passed a 
farm bill that gives agriculture certainty. We passed year-round E15 to 
strengthen markets and expand consumer choice. We are advancing an Ag 
appropriations bill that supports USDA's core mission and invests in 
the priorities that matter to farm country.
  Under President Trump and Secretary Rollins, we finally have an 
administration that understands American agriculture is setting our 
producers up for success. American farmers and ranchers feed, fuel, and 
clothe the world. They deserve a government that has their backs.
  Mr. Speaker, that is what we are fighting for.

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