Majority News
Opinion: Helping Rural America Feed All of America
An opinion piece by Sens. Pat Roberts, R-Kan., and Kelly Loeffler, R-Ga., in Agri-Pulse. Every American has a part to play in slowing the spread of the coronavirus. While many are working from home, an important few are working overtime on farms and ranches to make sure grocery store shelves are stocked. From harvesting wheat in Kansas to picking blueberries in Georgia, producers are getting up before the sun every day, while also adapting their operations to keep workers safe. They are among … Continue Reading
06.25.20
Roberts Applauds School Nutrition Flexibilities Extension
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Pat Roberts, R-Kan., Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, today applauded U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue's announcement of five federal school nutrition program flexibilities through June 30, 2021. "I thank Secretary Perdue for providing certainty to school food service operators that flexibilities will remain available through the upcoming school year as they re-design the way meals are provided to children when s… Continue Reading
06.24.20
Chairman Roberts Hears Agricultural Perspectives on Climate Legislation
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 S. 3894, The Growing Climate Solutions Act of 2020. "Maintaining the health of our planet for future generations is, of course, of paramount importance. So is feeding the billions of people that populate the Earth today and in the years ahead," said Roberts. "In order for these two distinct needs to be met, there must be meaningful acknowledgem… Continue Reading
06.24.20
Roberts, Stabenow Announce Committee Passage of Grain Standards Reauthorization
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 passed the bipartisan U.S. Grain Standards Reauthorization Act of 2020 by a voice vote. Click here to read the legislation, summary, and section-by-section. "The entire federal grain inspection system needs the certainty, predictability, and transparency that the bipartisan U.S. Grain Standards Reauthorization… Continue Reading
06.22.20
Senate Agriculture Committee Urges Secretary Perdue to Extend WIC Flexibilities
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Chairman Pat Roberts, R-Kan., and Ranking Member Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., wrote to U.S. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue requesting the extension of existing flexibilities for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) through September 30, 2020, as authorized by the Families First Coronavirus Response Act. "We appreciate the Department's actions to utilize administrative au… Continue Reading
06.17.20
Roberts, Stabenow Announce Climate Bill Hearing, Grain Standards Reauthorization Markup
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 legislative hearing on S. 3894, The Growing Climate Solutions Act of 2020. The Committee will also hold a business meeting to consider the U.S. Grain Standards Reauthorization Act of 2020. Date: Wednesday, June 24, 2020 Time: 10:00 a.m. Place: G50 Dirksen Senate Office Building. The p… Continue Reading
06.11.20
Chairman Roberts Applauds CFTC-European Commission Announcement on Clearinghouses
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Chairman Pat Roberts, R-Kan., applauded today's announcement on U.S.-based clearinghouses from U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) Chairman Heath Tarbert. In implementing European Market Infrastructure Regulations (EMIR 2.2), the European Commission (EC) has indicated, through its delegated acts, it will not subject U.S.-based clearinghouses to the direct supervision by the European Securities and Mark… Continue Reading
05.19.20
Roberts Applauds Signup Announcement for COVID-19 Relief Funds for Ag Producers
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Pat Roberts, R-Kan., Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, today applauded an announcement from President Donald Trump and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Sonny Perdue to distribute direct assistance to agricultural producers affected by the COVID-19 emergency. The Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) will distribute direct payments totaling $16 billion to assist producers of beef, pork, dairy, row crops, … Continue Reading
05.07.20
Chairman Roberts Announces Kansas Broadband ReConnect Recipients
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Pat Roberts, R-Kan., Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, today announced the Kansas recipients of the first round of funding for the U.S. Department of Agriculture's ReConnect Broadband program. "As a rural state, Kansas communities need access to high speed internet, a necessary tool to grow and thrive in the 21st century," said Roberts. "The ReConnect program complements our Farm Bill broadband programs and will help bridge… Continue Reading
04.28.20
Roberts’ Statement on Executive Order for Meat-Processing Plants During COVID-19
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 Donald Trump issued an Executive Order to keep meat-processing plants operational as critical infrastructure. "Farmers, as well as the entire food system, are suffering from the rippling effects of plant closures due to COVID-19," said Roberts. "I thank President Trump for declaring the importance of keeping America… Continue Reading
04.17.20
Roberts Applauds Efforts to Help Ag Producers with Disrupted, Lost Markets
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Pat Roberts, R-Kan., Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, today applauded an announcement from President Donald Trump and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Sonny Perdue to alleviate agriculture sector hardships caused by the COVID-19 emergency. The Coronavirus Food Assistance Program will distribute $19 billion to support farmers, ranchers, and consumers. Direct payments totaling $16 billion will assist producers… Continue Reading
04.03.20
Roberts, Stabenow Urge Small Business Administration to Provide Coronavirus Relief to Farmers and Ranchers
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Chairman Pat Roberts, R-Kan., and Ranking Member Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., urged the Small Business Administration to ensure farmers and ranchers can access new loan programs created in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. "The impacts of COVID-19 are affecting many small businesses, including America's farmers," wrote the Senators. "We must take quick action to aid farmers at a time when… Continue Reading
03.23.20
Roberts Announces Senate Confirmation of USDA Nominee Brashears
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Pat Roberts, R-Kan., Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, today announced that Dr. Mindy Brashears was confirmed by the U.S. Senate. Upon swearing in, Dr. Brashears will serve as Under Secretary of Agriculture for Food Safety at the U.S. Department of Agriculture. "I am pleased the Senate has acted on Dr. Brashears' nomination to continue leading food safety efforts at the U.S. Department of Agriculture," Roberts said. "She h… Continue Reading
03.12.20
Chairman Roberts Listens to Producer, Scientist Perspectives on Biotechnology Regulation
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Pat Roberts, R-Kan., Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, today held a hearing titled, "Agriculture Innovation and the Federal Biotechnology Regulatory Framework." "As science and technology evolve, so must the regulations of these products. The Coordinated Framework for the Regulation of Biotechnology is the multi-agency, federal system that serves to asses any risks of new biotechnology products, to ensure their safety to th… Continue Reading
03.05.20
Roberts, Stabenow Announce Hearing on Ag Innovation, Biotechnology Regulation
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 titled, "Agriculture Innovation and the Federal Biotechnology Regulatory Framework." Who: Mr. Patrick L. Johnson, Jr., Producer and Chairman, Environmental Task Force, National Cotton Council, Tunica, Miss. Dr. Wayne Parrott, Professor, Department of Crop and Soil Sciences, Institute of… Continue Reading
03.04.20
Bipartisan Bill to Protect America’s Domestic Food Supply and Agricultural Industry Signed into Law
WASHINGTON, DC - President Donald Trump has signed into law a bipartisan bill introduced by U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI), Pat Roberts (R-KS), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), and John Cornyn (R-TX) to address the shortage of agricultural inspectors who protect the nation's food supply and agricultural industry at the border. The Protecting America's Food & Agriculture Act of 2019 ensures safe and secure trade of agricultural goods across our nation's borders by authorizing U.S. Customs and Border… Continue Reading
02.26.20
Chairman Roberts Announces Agriculture Committee Staff Changes, Hires
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Pat Roberts, R-Kan., Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, today announced changes and promotions to his Committee staff. "I am proud to announce new additions and promotions within my Agriculture Committee staff, and I am proud that these individuals come from a variety of agricultural backgrounds and expertise," said Chairman Roberts. "There are several items on our to-do list for the rest of the year, and we intend to sprin… Continue Reading
02.10.20
Bipartisan Bill to Protect America’s Domestic Food Supply and Agricultural Industry to be Signed into Law
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI), John Cornyn (R-TX), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), and Pat Roberts (R-KS) applauded the House passage of their bipartisan legislation to address the shortage of agricultural inspectors who protect the nation's food supply and agricultural industry at the border. The Protecting America's Food & Agriculture Act of 2019 will ensure the safe and secure trade of agricultural goods across our nation's borders by authorizing U.S. Customs and Border Protec… Continue Reading
01.23.20
Chairman Roberts: Out with the Old ‘WOTUS,’ In with the New Rule
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Pat Roberts, Chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, today applauded the unveiling of the final 'Waters of the United States' (WOTUS) replacement rule. "The original 'WOTUS' rule was nothing but a severe regulatory over reach," said Roberts. "The growing threat farmers were facing from the previous administration's regulatory warpath would have only added costs to their businesses and stymied their ability to compete. I'm t… Continue Reading
01.20.20
Chairman Roberts Honored With American Farm Bureau Federation Top Award
AUSTIN, Texas - U.S. Senator Pat Roberts, Chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, today was honored with the American Farm Bureau Federation's Distinguished Service Award. "Thank you to the good men and women at Kansas Farm Bureau, who nominated me for this award. I am honored," said Roberts. "I've always had a strong relationship with Farm Bureau. The American Farm Bureau Federation is the farmer, rancher, and grower's most faithful and effective advocate… Continue Reading
