Majority News
Roberts to Lead Agriculture Committee in 116th Congress; Republican Members Announced
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Pat Roberts, R-Kan., has once again been tapped to lead the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, during the 116th Congress. "I am honored to be chosen to lead the Agriculture Committee for another two years," said Chairman Roberts. "We just succeeded in passing the bipartisan, bicameral 2018 Farm Bill, and I look forward to overseeing the Agriculture Department's implementation." "As I said when I first became Chairman of this Committ… Continue Reading
12.20.18
Chairman Roberts: President Signs Farm Bill Into Law
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Pat Roberts (R-Kan.), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry today joined Ranking Member Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), President Trump and others at the White House for a signing ceremony of their historic, bipartisan Farm Bill. "We began the consideration of this Farm Bill two years ago in Manhattan, Kansas, by listening to producers. We ended up with a bill crafted to address the concerns of all regions and all crops. In a to… Continue Reading
12.20.18
Chairman Roberts: USDA Rule Reflects Congressional Intent to Protect and Preserve Agricultural Biotechnology
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Pat Roberts, R-Kan., Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, today applauded the U.S. Department of Agriculture's final rule on his landmark legislation - the National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard - to protect the use of agriculture biotechnology, provide certainty to farmers and the supply chain, and ensure consumers have greater access to food information. "I applaud Secretary Perdue and the Agriculture Department f… Continue Reading
12.20.18
Chairman Roberts’ Statement on USDA SNAP Work Requirements Proposed Rule
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Pat Roberts, R-Kan., Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, today released the following statement after U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced a proposed rule to update Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) requirements for states to qualify for waivers from work time-limits for able-bodied adults without dependents. "Though the SNAP program currently has work requirements that most states enforce, it m… Continue Reading
12.12.18
Roberts, Stabenow Applaud Farm Bill Conference Report Passage in House
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Pat Roberts, R-Kan., and Ranking Member Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., today applauded the House of Representatives for passing the 2018 Farm Bill conference report on a 369-47 vote. "We congratulate Chairman Conaway and Ranking Member Peterson on passing the bipartisan, bicameral 2018 Farm Bill conference report," said Roberts and Stabenow. "This swift legislative action taken by both chambers represents our commitment to provide certai… Continue Reading
12.11.18
Roberts, Stabenow Announce Farm Bill Conference Report Passes Senate on 87-13 Vote
WASHINGTON, D.C. - In the final stretch of the 2018 Farm Bill, U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Pat Roberts, R-Kan., and Ranking Member Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., today announced the Farm Bill conference report passed the Senate on a strong bipartisan 87-13 vote. "We are thrilled to report the U.S. Senate has acted to give certainty and predictability to rural America," said Roberts and Stabenow. "The U.S. Senate has already delivered a historic vote for the Senate Farm Bill. Now, we … Continue Reading
12.11.18
Chairman Roberts Joins EPA’s Wheeler to Unveil Reworked WOTUS Rule
WASHINGTON, D.C. - A stern opponent of Obama-era burdensome regulations, U.S. Senator Pat Roberts, R-Kan., Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, today joined U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Acting Administrator Andrew Wheeler in unveiling the Waters of the United States (WOTUS) replacement rule. "I thank President Trump and the EPA for putting a priority on revising the WOTUS rule to be workable for farmers, ranchers, and landowners," said Chairman… Continue Reading
12.10.18
Senate and House Ag Committee Leaders Release Farm Bill Conference Report
WASHINGTON, D.C. - 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., today released the text of the bipartisan, bicameral 2018 Farm Bill conference report. "The 2018 Farm Bill is our opportunity to make the American food and agriculture systems work more efficiently. I'm pleased to say we have done just that in this conference report," said Chairman Roberts. "We st… Continue Reading
12.06.18
Chairman Roberts Applauds School Lunch Regulatory Flexibility
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Pat Roberts, R-Kan., Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, today applauded U.S. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue for publishing the Child Nutrition Programs: Flexibilities for Milk, Whole Grains, and Sodium Requirements final rule. This rule solidifies regulatory flexibility for the National School Lunch Program, the School Breakfast Program, and other federal child nutrition programs. "In one of his first official acts as … Continue Reading
12.05.18
Senate Agriculture Committee Advances USDA Nominees Brashears, Earp, and Hutchins to Full Senate
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Pat Roberts, R-Kan., Chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, today announced the Committee voted to favorably report the USDA nominations of Mindy Brashears to be Under Secretary of Agriculture for Food Safety; Naomi Earp to be Assistant Secretary of Agriculture for Civil Rights; and Scott Hutchins to be Under Secretary of Agriculture for Research, Education, and Economics. The nominees may now be considered by the full U.S. … Continue Reading
12.04.18
Senate Agriculture Committee to Consider USDA Nominees Brashears, Earp, and Hutchins
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Chairman Pat Roberts, R-Kan., and Ranking Member Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., today announced the Committee will hold a business meeting to consider the USDA nominations of Mindy Brashears to be Under Secretary of Agriculture for Food Safety; Naomi Earp to be Assistant Secretary of Agriculture for Civil Rights; and Scott Hutchins to be Under Secretary of Agriculture for Research, Education, and Economics. Date: Wed… Continue Reading
11.30.18
Chairman Roberts’ Statement on USMCA Signing
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Pat Roberts, R-Kan., Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, today released the following statement after President Trump signed the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). "I congratulate President Trump on signing the USMCA, and I thank him for strengthening the trading relationships with Canada and Mexico that our American farmers and ranchers have long depended on" said Roberts. "Today marks an important step towards c… Continue Reading
11.29.18
Senate and House Ag Leaders: We've Reached Agreement in Principle on 2018 Farm Bill
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senate and House Agriculture Committee Chairmen Pat Roberts (R-Kan.) and Mike Conaway (R-Texas) and Ranking Members Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) and Collin Peterson (D-Minn.) made the following announcement today on the state of 2018 Farm Bill negotiations: "We're pleased to announce that we've reached an agreement in principle on the 2018 Farm Bill. We are working to finalize legal and report language as well as CBO scores, but we still have more work to do. We are committed to… Continue Reading
11.28.18
Chairman Roberts Holds Hearing on Three USDA Nominations
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Pat Roberts, R-Kan., Chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, today held a hearing to consider the USDA nominations of Mindy Brashears, Naomi Earp, and Scott Hutchins. Mindy Brashears, of Texas, is the nominee to be Under Secretary of Agriculture for Food Safety. Naomi C. Earp, of Maryland, is the nominee to be an Assistant Secretary of Agriculture for Civil Rights. Scott Hutchins, of Indiana, is the nominee to be Under Secre… Continue Reading
11.27.18
Chairman Roberts Announces Senate Confirmation of USDA General Counsel
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Pat Roberts, R-Kan., Chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, today is pleased to announce that Stephen Vaden was approved by the U.S. Senate. Upon swearing in, Stephen Vaden, of Tennessee, will serve as General Counsel at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). "I'm pleased the U.S. Senate has cleared another critical USDA nominee," Roberts said. "Mr. Vaden is well suited for the job and ready to serve as USDA general … Continue Reading
11.16.18
Chairman Roberts’ Statement on USDA, FDA Plan to Regulate Cell-Cultured Food
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Pat Roberts, R-Kan., Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, today made the following statement after the Trump Administration announced a decision on how to regulate cell-cultured food products derived from livestock and poultry. U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue and U.S. Food and Drug Agency (FDA) Commissioner Scott Gottlieb today announced that both agencies will oversee the joint regulation of these products. FDA wil… Continue Reading
11.13.18
Roberts, Stabenow Announce Hearing on USDA Nominees Brashears, Earp, and Hutchins
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Chairman Pat Roberts, R-Kan., and Ranking Member Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., today announced the Committee will hold a hearing to consider the USDA nominations of Mindy Brashears, Naomi Earp, and Scott Hutchins. Who: Mindy Brashears, of Texas, to be Under Secretary of Agriculture for Food Safety Naomi C. Earp, of Maryland, to be an Assistant Secretary of Agriculture for Civil Rights Scott Hutchins, of Indiana, to… Continue Reading
10.17.18
Chairman Roberts’ Statement on Pending U.S. Trade Negotiations
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Pat Roberts, R-Kan., Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, and a senior member of the Senate Finance Committee, today released the following statement after President Trump formally notified Congress of intent to begin trade negotiations. "I am very encouraged by the administration's announcement to pursue trade agreements with Japan, the European Union, and the United Kingdom. President Trump and Trade Representative Lighthiz… Continue Reading
10.15.18
Chairman Roberts’ Statement on National School Lunch Week
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Pat Roberts, R-Kan., Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, today released the following statement after President Trump proclaimed Oct. 14-20, 2018, as National School Lunch Week. "The National School Lunch Program is vital to helping America's schoolchildren reach their full potential throughout the school day and well into the future. I thank the school nutritionists and food directors for their work day in and day out to pr… Continue Reading
10.01.18
Chairman Roberts’ Statement on NAFTA Renegotiation
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Pat Roberts, R-Kan., Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, today released the following statement after President Trump announced the United States, Canada, and Mexico have reached an agreement on the renegotiated North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). "I'm pleased to see the U.S., Canada, and Mexico have successfully delivered a renegotiated NAFTA for consideration, and I am eager to review the details," said Chairman Ro… Continue Reading
