Majority News
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
01.15.20
Chairman Roberts Joins President Trump, Ag Producers At U.S.-China Trade Agreement Signing
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Pat Roberts, Chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, today released the following statement after joining President Trump at the U.S.-China phase one trade agreement signing ceremony at the White House. "It's a good day for American businesses, especially farmers and ranchers. This agreement is a big step towards a stronger, more reliable trading relationship between the U.S. and China," said Chairman Roberts. "I'm glad to … Continue Reading
01.07.20
Chairman Roberts Welcomes Loeffler to Ag Committee
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Pat Roberts, R-Kan., Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, today released an updated roster of Committee republicans, including new member Senator Kelly Loeffler from Georgia. "I welcome our newest member of the Agriculture Committee, Senator Kelly Loeffler," said Chairman Roberts. "Her farming roots make her a welcome addition to the Committee, and I look forward to her participation." Republican members of the Senate Agricul… Continue Reading
12.20.19
Senate Ag Committee Leaders Mark One-Year Anniversary of Farm Bill
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 released the following statements on the one-year anniversary of the signing of the 2018 Farm Bill on December 20. "With low prices and trade uncertainty, farmers and ranchers needed this farm bill, and I'm pleased we could provide a level of certainty and predictability," said Roberts. "Once again, members of the Agriculture Committe… Continue Reading
12.17.19
Roberts, Stabenow Announce Committee Passage of Bipartisan National Bio and Agro-Defense Legislation, Lands Package
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 their bipartisan legislation, S. 2695, the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF) Act of 2019, and a package of lands bills affecting acreage in Tennessee and Virginia. "Today's passage of this legislation means we are one step closer to securing a more robust defense of our nation's agriculture a… Continue Reading
12.13.19
Roberts, Stabenow Announce Committee Votes on NBAF, Lands Legislation
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 legislation regarding the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF) and a package of lands bills. Date: Tuesday, December 17, 2019 Time: 10:30 a.m. Place: 328A Russell Senate Office Building Agenda: S. 2695, National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility Act of 2… Continue Reading
12.13.19
Chairman Roberts’ Statement on Phase One Trade Agreement with China
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Pat Roberts, Chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, today applauded President Trump's announcement of a phase one trade deal with China. "As the holiday season approaches, the announcement of a phase one trade agreement with China is good news for rural America," said Chairman Roberts. "I applaud and encourage President Trump and Ambassador Lighthizer to continue to press forward and bring this deal to a close so our agric… Continue Reading
11.14.19
Chairman Roberts: More Kansas Wheat to go to Brazil
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Pat Roberts, R-Kan., Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, applauded today's Trump administration announcement that Brazil has implemented its long-awaited annual duty-free tariff rate quota (TRQ) of 750,000 metric tons of wheat imports. "At a time of low prices and trade uncertainty, this is welcome news to U.S. wheat growers, especially in Kansas, the largest wheat producing state," said Roberts. "For decades, Brazil has not … Continue Reading
11.14.19
Chairman Roberts Welcomes Re-opening of Chinese Market to U.S. Poultry
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Pat Roberts, R-Kan., Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, is pleased with today's announcement by U.S. Trade Ambassador Robert Lighthizer that the Chinese market is once again open to U.S. poultry exports. "For the first time since 2015, U.S. poultry producers will have access to the growing Chinese market," said Roberts. "I thank Ambassador Lighthizer and Secretary Perdue for keeping the pressure on China and continuing effo… Continue Reading
11.07.19
Chairman Roberts Hears Update on Farm Bill Rural Development, Energy Program Implementation
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, "Implementation of the 2018 Farm Bill: Rural Development and Energy Programs." "A principal duty of this Committee is to ensure the Department has the authority and resources to provide our nation's agricultural producers with the necessary tools to feed a troubled and hungry world. But the responsibilities of the Committee and USDA do not s… Continue Reading
10.30.19
Roberts, Stabenow Announce Farm Bill Implementation Hearing on Rural Development, Energy Programs
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, "Implementation of the 2018 Farm Bill: Rural Development and Energy Programs." Who: Panel I Ms. Bette Brand, Administrator, Rural Business Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Washington, D.C. Mr. Bruce Lammers, Administrator, Rural Housing Service, United States Dep… Continue Reading
