Majority News
Chairman Roberts Pleased with EPA’s Continued Progress on WOTUS Rule Rollback
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 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Andrew Wheeler announced the formal rollback the burdensome, Obama-era Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule. The WOTUS replacement rule is expected early 2020. "I'm glad to see EPA Administrator Wheeler continuing to alleviate regulatory burdens that farmers, ranchers, … Continue Reading
08.25.19
Chairman Roberts Applauds U.S.-Japan Trade Agreement in Principle
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 announced a trade agreement in principle between the United States and Japan. "I applaud President Trump's persistence in pursuing a trade agreement in principle with Japan, especially for the U.S. agriculture sector," said Chairman Roberts. "U.S. farmers and ranchers currently face a disadvantage in Ja… Continue Reading
08.08.19
Senate Ag Committee Leaders Commemorate FNS 50th Anniversary
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 observed the 50th anniversary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food and Nutrition Service (FNS). The Senate Agriculture Committee leaders introduced a resolution to mark the 50th anniversary of the founding of FNS, which works "in a public-private partnership to reduce food insecurity and promote nutritious diets among the peopl… Continue Reading
08.02.19
Chairman Roberts Applauds Expanded U.S. Beef Access to the EU
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 announced an agreement between the United States and the European Union (EU) to allow more U.S. beef imports. "This agreement will provide some relief to American ranchers during an uncertain trading atmosphere," said Roberts. "I appreciate the Administration acting on my decades-long persistence in p… Continue Reading
07.31.19
Chairman Roberts Gathers Insight from Variety of Grain Inspection Stakeholders
WASHINGTON, D.C. - In preparation for reauthorization of the U.S. Grain Standards Act, U.S. Senator Pat Roberts, R-Kan., Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, today held a hearing to gather stakeholder perspectives. "Maintaining the certainty and predictability of the grain inspection and weighing system is key for the successful flow of grain and oilseeds-from their origin at farms across the country to their eventual destinations, including critical export… Continue Reading
07.25.19
Chairman Roberts Hears from Hemp Production Stakeholders
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, "Hemp Production and the 2018 Farm Bill." "I have talked repeatedly about two themes here in the Committee-providing certainty and predictability for farmers," said Chairman Roberts. "However, this developing industry has great opportunity but-to be truthful-also has much uncertainty and risk for farmers." "These are cautions regarding th… Continue Reading
07.24.19
Roberts, Stabenow Announce Grain Standards Hearing
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, "Perspectives on Reauthorization of the U.S. Grain Standards Act." Who: Mr. Brian Linin, Farmer and Member, National Association of Wheat Growers, Goodland, Kan. Mr. David Ayers, Former President, on behalf of Mr. Tom Dahl, President, American Association of Grain Inspection and W… Continue Reading
07.24.19
Peters, Roberts, Cornyn & Stabenow Bill to Protect America’s Domestic Food Supply and Agricultural Industries Advances in Senate
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee unanimously approved bipartisan legislation introduced by U.S. Senator Gary Peters (D-MI), Pat Roberts (R-KS), John Cornyn (R-TX), and Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) to address the shortage of agricultural inspectors at the nation's ports of entry. Agricultural inspectors work to protect the nation's food supply and agricultural industries by preventing the intentional or unintentional entry of harmful plants, food, anima… Continue Reading
07.18.19
Chairman Roberts Receives Update from USDA on Farm Bill Research Programs
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, "Agricultural Research and 2018 Farm Bill Implementation." "In crafting the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, Ranking Member Stabenow and I, along with members of this Committee, recognized that we had to continue to build on the strong history of agricultural research in the United States," said Chairman Roberts. "I look forward to hear… Continue Reading
07.17.19
Roberts, Stabenow Announce Hemp Production Hearing
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, "Hemp Production and the 2018 Farm Bill." Who: Panel I The Honorable Greg Ibach, Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Washington, D.C. The Honorable Stephen Alexander Vaden, General Counsel, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Washingt… Continue Reading
07.11.19
Peters, Roberts, Cornyn & Stabenow Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Protect America’s Domestic Food Supply and Agricultural Industries
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI), Ranking Member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, Pat Roberts (R-KS), John Cornyn (R-TX) and Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) introduced bipartisan legislation to address the shortage of agricultural inspectors who protect our food supply and agricultural industries at the border. Agricultural inspectors work to prevent the intentional or unintentional entry of harmful plants, food, animals and goods into the United Stat… Continue Reading
07.10.19
Roberts, Stabenow Announce Ag Research Hearing
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, "Agricultural Research and 2018 Farm Bill Implementation." Who: Dr. Scott Hutchins, Deputy Under Secretary, Research, Education, and Economics, United States Department of Agriculture, Washington D.C. Date: Thursday, July 18, 2019 Time: 10:30 a.m. Place: 328A Russell Senat… Continue Reading
06.25.19
Chairman Roberts Hears from Industry Stakeholders Ahead of CFTC Reauthorization
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, "The State of the Derivatives Market and Perspectives for CFTC Reauthorization." "This Committee has distinct jurisdiction over the Commodity Futures Trading Commission and its role implementing law governing the world-wide derivative markets as authorized in the Commodity Exchange Act," said Chairman Roberts. "We have worked together, in a… Continue Reading
06.18.19
Roberts, Stabenow Announce CFTC Reauthorization Hearing
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, "The State of the Derivatives Market and Perspectives for CFTC Reauthorization." Who: Mr. Thomas Sexton, President and CEO, National Futures Association, Chicago, Ill. The Honorable Walter Lukken, President and CEO, Futures Industry Association, Washington, D.C. Mr. Joe Barker, D… Continue Reading
06.13.19
Chairman Roberts Hears from Administration on Current, Future Ag Trade Efforts
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, "Certainty in Global Markets for the U.S. Agriculture Sector." "It is time to look toward the future. While an update of activities is certainly appropriate, today, I hope to also hear about the future of U.S. agriculture trade policy. This includes not just restoring certainty to markets that the U.S. either had through negotiated agreement… Continue Reading
06.05.19
Roberts, Stabenow Announce Trade Hearing
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, "Certainty in Global Markets for the U.S. Agriculture Sector." Who: The Honorable Gregg Doud, Chief Agricultural Negotiator, Office of the United States Trade Representative, Washington, D.C. The Honorable Ted McKinney, Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs,… Continue Reading
06.05.19
Roberts Applauds CFTC Chair Tarbert Confirmation
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Pat Roberts, R-Kan., Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, today applauded Senate confirmation of Heath P. Tarbert to be Chairman and a Commissioner of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). "I applaud the Senate's quick, bipartisan action to confirm Dr. Tarbert to head the CFTC," Roberts said. "He has the support of a range of agricultural groups, and I'm confident he will lead the CFTC well." The Committee held a… Continue Reading
06.04.19
Chairman Roberts’ Statement on EPA EPCRA Rulemaking
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 the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a final rule on Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know-Act (EPCRA) reporting requirements, clarifying that air emissions from farms and ranches are exempt from EPCRA reporting requirements. "I'm pleased the EPA has acted to give further certainty to farmers, ran… Continue Reading
06.04.19
Chairman Roberts Announces Agriculture Committee Staff Changes, Promotions
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Pat Roberts, R-Kan., Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry today announced staff changes and promotions to his Committee staff. "My Agriculture Committee staff is made up of a variety of agricultural backgrounds and expertise, and I am pleased to announce several new team members and promotions," said Chairman Roberts. "We have a busy schedule ahead, and we are hard at work on behalf of farmers, ranchers, and others with an inte… Continue Reading
05.21.19
Chairman Roberts Hears Variety of Perspectives on Agriculture’s Role in Climate Change
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, "Climate Change and the Agriculture Sector." "Maintaining the health of our planet for future generations is, of course, of paramount importance," said Chairman Roberts. "So is feeding the billions of people that populate the Earth today and in the years ahead." "It is important to note there has been no single silver-bullet solution that h… Continue Reading
