Majority News
Bipartisan Senators Urge USDA to Revise SNAP Rule
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Chairman Pat Roberts, R-Kan., and Ranking Member Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., led a bipartisan group of 47 Senators in sending a letter to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), expressing concerns with the Agency's controversial proposed rule on retailer eligibility requirements in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Text of the letter is as follows: We write today to express our concern regar… Continue Reading
07.27.16
Bipartisan Senators to USDA: Address Organic Livestock, Poultry Concerns Before Publishing Rule
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Pat Roberts, R-Kan., Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, led a bipartisan group of 13 Senators in sending a second letter to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), requesting additional information regarding expressed concerns with the Agency's proposed rule on revised organic livestock and poultry production standards. "The proposed rule raises significant concerns regarding the impact on current organic poultry and eg… Continue Reading
07.14.16
House Approves Chairman Roberts’ Agriculture Biotechnology Bill
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Pat Roberts, R-Kan., Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, today announced his landmark legislation to protect the use of agriculture biotechnology and to ensure consumers have greater access to food information was approved by the U.S. House of Representatives and now heads to the President's desk to be signed into law. The bipartisan legislation, S.764, crafted by Chairman Roberts and Ranking Member Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich.,… Continue Reading
07.07.16
Chairman Roberts: Agriculture Biotechnology Solution Approved by Senate
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Pat Roberts, R-Kan., Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, today is pleased to announce Senate passage of S.764, the bipartisan proposal to protect the use of agriculture biotechnology and to ensure consumers have access to food information they want. The legislation was approved on a 63-30 vote. "Today is a victory for farmers, ranchers, sound science, and anyone who eats on a budget," said Roberts. "Getting to an agreement w… Continue Reading
07.06.16
Agriculture Biotechnology Compromise Clears Second Hurdle; Final Vote Soon
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Pat Roberts, R-Kan., Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, today said the Senate voted to proceed to final debate on his bipartisan proposal to protect the use of agriculture biotechnology and to ensure consumers have access to food information they want. With cloture invoked by a vote of 65-32 the Senate will vote on final passage as early as Thursday. "I'm pleased with the outcome of today's cloture vote," said Roberts. "Thi… Continue Reading
07.06.16
Agriculture Biotechnology Disclosure Solution Gains Support of 1,000+ Food and Agriculture Groups
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Pat Roberts, R-Kan., Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, is pleased to announce broad food, agriculture, and retail support of his bipartisan agreement on a Biotechnology Disclosure Solution, which will be considered for a cloture vote later today. "Our bipartisan solution continues to earn more and more support," said Roberts. "Folks up and down the food chain - farmers, manufacturers, restaurants, mom-and-pop stores, chamb… Continue Reading
06.29.16
Chairman Roberts’ Statement on Biotechnology Disclosure Procedural Vote
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Pat Roberts, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, today released the following statement after the Senate's vote to move forward with a bipartisan proposal to protect the use of agriculture biotechnology and to ensure consumers have access to the information they want. "I'm pleased with the outcome of tonight's procedural vote," said Roberts. "The Senate stood up for America's farmers, ranchers, consumers, and sound science. … Continue Reading
06.23.16
Chairman Roberts: Biotechnology Compromise Protects Producers, Informs Consumers
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Pat Roberts, R-Kan., Chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, today unveiled a new bipartisan proposal to protect the use of agriculture biotechnology and to ensure consumers have access to the information they want. "Unless we act now, Vermont law denigrating biotechnology and causing confusion in the marketplace is the law of the … Continue Reading
06.23.16
Senate Agriculture Committee Leaders Strike Deal on Agriculture Biotechnology Compromise
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Pat Roberts, R-Kan., and Ranking Member Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., today released the following statement on reaching a bipartisan agriculture biotechnology compromise solution. "This bipartisan agreement is an important path forward that represents a true compromise. Since time is of the essence, we urge our colleagues to move swiftly to support this bill." Click here to read the legislation. -30-… Continue Reading
06.22.16
Chairman Roberts Introduces Emergency Wildfire Legislation
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Pat Roberts, R-Kan., Chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, today introduced the Emergency Wildfire and Forest Management Act of 2016. "With this legislation, we are doing the specific and timely work of our committee, especially with fire season ahead of us," said Chairman Roberts. "Wildfires have devastated vast landscapes and communities throughout the U.S., and it's time Congress not only address the Forest Service budg… Continue Reading
06.17.16
Chairman Roberts: Interior Appropriations Bill Addresses EPA Funded Billboards Attacking Agriculture
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Pat Roberts, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, today applauded the Senate Appropriations Committee for advancing the Fiscal Year 2017 Interior, Environment and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill which contains language he sought to halt the misuse of Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) federal grant funding that supported an advocacy and public relations campaign with the sole purpose of denigrating agriculture. "I commend… Continue Reading
06.07.16
Senate and House Ag Committee Leaders: USDA Extends Comment Period for Organic Livestock and Poultry Rule
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senate and House Agriculture Committee leadership today announced the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) granted their request for an extension of the public comment period for the agency's proposed rule regarding revised organic livestock and poultry production standards. "We are pleased the USDA acted immediately to allow producers, consumers, retailers and animal health experts more time to offer their comments on the proposed rules," the lawmakers said. "We will con… Continue Reading
05.26.16
Agriculture Committee Leadership Request Comment Period Extension for USDA Organic Livestock and Poultry Rule
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate and House Agriculture Committee leadership today called on the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to grant a 90-day extension of the public comment period for the Agency's proposed rule regarding revised organic livestock and poultry production standards. Agriculture Committee Chairmen Sen. Pat Roberts, R-Kan., and Rep. K. Michael Conaway, R-Texas, and Ranking Members Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., and Rep. Collin Peterson, D-Minn., expressed multiple concerns … Continue Reading
05.26.16
Senate Agriculture Committee Holds First Livestock and Poultry Hearing in Five Years
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Pat Roberts, R-Kan., Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, today held a hearing on the U.S. livestock and poultry sectors. The hearing, titled "A Review of the U.S. Livestock and Poultry Sectors: Marketplace Opportunities and Challenges," consisted of testimonies from farmers and ranchers across the country. For witness info, testimony, and to watch the hearing, click here. The following is Chairman Roberts' opening stateme… Continue Reading
05.23.16
Chairman Roberts Announces Witnesses for Hearing on U.S. Livestock and Poultry Sectors
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Pat Roberts, R-Kan., Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, today announced witnesses for the Committee's hearing to review the U.S. livestock and poultry sectors. What: A Review of the U.S. Livestock and Poultry Sectors: Marketplace Opportunities and Challenges Who: Tracy Brunner, President, National Cattlemen's Beef Association, Cow Camp Feedyard, Inc, Ramona, Kan. Ronald Truex, Chairman, United Egg Producers, Creig… Continue Reading
05.19.16
Chairman Roberts Examines the Farm Credit System in Rural America
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Pat Roberts, R-Kan., Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, today held a hearing on the Farm Credit System. The hearing, titled "The Farm Credit System: Oversight and Outlook of the Current Economic Climate," had two panels. For witness info, testimony, and to watch the hearing live, click here. "Farmers and ranchers all across the country are experiencing difficult economic conditions as farm sector profitability is forecast… Continue Reading
05.13.16
Chairman Roberts Announces Hearing on U.S. Livestock and Poultry Sectors
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Pat Roberts, R-Kan., Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, today announced the Committee will hold a hearing to review the U.S. livestock and poultry sectors. Title: A Review of the U.S. Livestock and Poultry Sectors: Marketplace Opportunities and Challenges Date: Thursday, May 26, 2016 Time: 10:00 a.m. Place: 216 Hart Senate Office Building ***Please note: Press bringing audio/video equipment should check in… Continue Reading
05.13.16
Chairman Roberts Announces Witnesses for Senate Agriculture Hearing on the Farm Credit System
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Pat Roberts, R-Kan., Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, today announced witnesses for the Committee's hearing on the Farm Credit System. What: The Farm Credit System: Oversight and Outlook of the Current Economic Climate Who: Panel I The Honorable Ken Spearman, Chairman, Farm Credit Administration Board, McLean, Va. The Honorable Dallas Tonsager, Member, Farm Credit Administration, Chairman, Farm Credit Insurance Sy… Continue Reading
05.12.16
Chairman Roberts Announces Farm Credit Hearing
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Pat Roberts, R-Kan., Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, today announced the Committee will hold a hearing on the Farm Credit System. Title: The Farm Credit System: Oversight and Outlook of the Current Economic Climate Date: Thursday, May 19, 2016 Time: 10:15 a.m. Place: 328A Russell Senate Office Building ***Please note: Press bringing audio/video equipment should check in with the Senate Radio-Television Gallery … Continue Reading
04.22.16
Bipartisan Senators to Ambassador Froman: Defend Agriculture in T-TIP
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Sen. Pat Roberts, R-Kan., Chairman of the U.S. Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee, today led 26 Senators in sending a letter to U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman, urging a strong framework for American agriculture in the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (T-TIP). The 13th round of T-TIP negotiations start Monday in New York. "America's farmers and ranchers feed the world. Let them do so without senseless barriers and tariffs," sai… Continue Reading
