Majority News
Roberts Announces Agriculture, Forestry Provisions in Funding Bill
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Pat Roberts, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, today is pleased to announce the inclusion of several key provisions beneficial to agriculture in the FY 2018 Omnibus Appropriations Act, which extends government funding through Sept. 30. The bill passed the Senate on a 65-32 vote and is awaiting the President's signature. "I'm pleased that Congress reached a bipartisan deal to fund the federal government through the end of the… Continue Reading
03.12.18
Red Tape Officially Cut on Devastating Organic Livestock, Poultry Regulations
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Pat Roberts, R-Kan., Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, today praised the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) announcement of a finalized rule that withdraws a controversial regulation that would have revised organic livestock and poultry production standards. The withdrawal is effective May 13, 2018. "It's official - the Obama Administration rule that would have jeopardized the livelihood of organic livestock and poultr… Continue Reading
03.07.18
Chairman Roberts Honored with Child Nutrition Lifetime Achievement Award
WASHINGTON, D.C. - For his decades of work to ensure child nutrition and fight global hunger, U.S. Senator Pat Roberts, R-Kan., Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, today was presented the 2018 Gene White Lifetime Achievement Award by the Global Child Nutrition Foundation. The award recognizes individuals who have made significant impacts to end childhood hunger. Click here to read Chairman Roberts' remarks as prepared for delivery. "Feeding a troubled and h… Continue Reading
03.05.18
Senate Ag Committee Leaders Urge Swift Implementation of Disaster Aid, Farm Safety Net Improvements
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, Chairman Pat Roberts, R-Kan., and Ranking Member Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., encouraged the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to implement agricultural provisions in the Bipartisan Budget Act in a timely, transparent, and producer-friendly way. "In order to help agriculture producers recover from recent disasters, Secretary Perdue and the Agriculture Department now have additional tools and responsibiliti… Continue Reading
02.27.18
Chairman Roberts Announces Full Senate Confirmation of Bill Northey
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 William Northey was approved by the U.S. Senate. Upon swearing in, William Northey, of Iowa, will serve as Under Secretary of Agriculture for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services within the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). "I'm pleased the Senate advanced Mr. Northey's nomination. I have no doubt he will be a champion fo… Continue Reading
02.15.18
Chairman Roberts Hears Cryptocurrency Update from CFTC Chairman Giancarlo
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Pat Roberts, R-Kan., Chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, today held an oversight hearing on the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) titled, "State of the CFTC: Examining Pending Rules, Cryptocurrency Regulation, and Cross-Border Agreements." During the hearing, Roberts examined the CFTC's regulation of cryptocurrencies and received an update regarding current equivalency agreements between the CFTC and Euro… Continue Reading
02.13.18
Chairman Roberts Cosponsors Bipartisan Legislation to Protect Farmers & Ranchers from Onerous Reporting Requirement
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Chairman Pat Roberts, R-Kan., today co-sponsored bipartisan legislation introduced by new Committee member Deb Fischer, R-Neb. The Fair Agricultural Reporting Method (FARM) Act would exempt air emissions from animal waste from being subject to the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) reporting requirements. Click here to read the legislation. "I've heard from Kansas farmers… Continue Reading
02.12.18
Ag Chairmen React to Administration’s FY2019 Budget Proposal
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Following the release of the Trump administration's FY 2019 budget proposal, Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Pat Roberts, R-Kan., and House Agriculture Committee Chairman K. Michael Conaway, R-Texas, issued the joint statement below: "As Chairmen of the Agriculture Committees, the task at hand is to produce a Farm Bill for the benefit of our farmers, ranchers, consumers and other stakeholders. This budget, as with every other president's budget before, will not prevent … Continue Reading
02.08.18
Wheat Growers Present Chairman Roberts, Ag Staff with Awards
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Pat Roberts, R-Kan., Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, and key members of his staff, today received awards for their outstanding support to wheat growers from the National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG) and the Kansas Association of Wheat Growers (KAWG). "Our wheat growers are what make Kansas the breadbasket of America, and I'm honored to receive their Wheat Advocate Award," said Chairman Roberts. "The advice and boo… Continue Reading
01.31.18
Chairman Roberts: WOTUS Delay Gives Time to Listen to Rural America
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 announced the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) have postponed the applicability date of the notorious Waters of the United States (WOTUS) final rule by two years. "The Obama Administration's infamous 'WOTUS' rule, which burdened rural America with regulato… Continue Reading
01.31.18
Senate Ag Committee Leaders Request Info from CFTC on Bitcoin Oversight
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Chairman Pat Roberts, R-Kan. and Ranking Member Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich. wrote a letter to U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) Chairman J. Christopher Giancarlo to seek information about the Commission's oversight of the emerging cryptocurrency bitcoin futures and options. "American taxpayers deserve strong safeguards against fraud, manipulation, and abusive practices in the futures and options… Continue Reading
01.29.18
Roberts, Stabenow Announce CFTC Oversight 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, "State of the CFTC: Examining Pending Rules, Cryptocurrency Regulation, and Cross-Border Agreements." Who: The Honorable J. Christopher Giancarlo, U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission Chairman, Washington, D.C. Date: Thursday, February 15, 2018 Time: 9:30 a.m. Place: … Continue Reading
01.09.18
Roberts, Stabenow Support CFTC’s Efforts to Uphold European Agreement
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Chairman Pat Roberts, R-Kan., and Ranking Member Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., sent a letter of support to U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) Chairman J. Christopher Giancarlo for his commitment to honor mutually recognized equivalency agreements regarding cross-border clearinghouses. Prior to the United Kingdom's 2016 referendum to leave the European Union ("Brexit"), the CFTC and the European Commission… Continue Reading
01.08.18
President Trump Pledges to Work with Chairman Roberts for an On-Time Farm Bill
WASHINGTON, D.C. - After multiple meetings with President Donald J. Trump on issues of importance to rural America, U.S. Senator Pat Roberts, R-Kan., Chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, today joined the President onstage at the American Farm Bureau's 99th annual convention in Nashville, Tenn. An issue continually championed by Chairman Roberts, President Trump made his first public statement in support of crop insurance. "Here today is Senate Agricult… Continue Reading
12.20.17
Chairman Roberts Announces Committee Staff Hire
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Pat Roberts, R-Kan., Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, today announced Robert Rosado will join the Committee as senior professional staff responsible for nutrition, specialty crops, and organics. "I'm pleased to announce another great addition to my Committee staff," Chairman Roberts said. "Rob Rosado's experience and perspective on nutrition issues will be key in the upcoming Farm Bill reauthorization." Prior to joining… Continue Reading
12.15.17
Chairman Roberts Applauds USDA Decision to Spare Organic Livestock, Poultry Producers from Crushing Regulations
WASHINGTON, D.C. - After years of challenging the rule, U.S. Senator Pat Roberts, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, today applauded the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) announcement of a proposed rule that would withdraw a controversial regulation that would have revised organic livestock and poultry production standards. "With USDA's wise decision to withdraw this rule, organic livestock and poultry producers can rest assured that they will not b… Continue Reading
12.13.17
Chairman Roberts Emphasizes Importance of Agriculture Security
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Pat Roberts, R-Kan., Chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, today held an agriculture security hearing, titled, "Safeguarding American Agriculture in a Globalized World." "In 1999, as Chairman of the newly-formed Emerging Threats Subcommittee of the Senate Armed Services Committee, I became aware of the threat our nation faced against intentionally introduced pathogens to be weaponized and aimed at destroying plant and anim… Continue Reading
12.12.17
Chairman Roberts: “Trade Is More Than a Product Crossing a Border”
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Pat Roberts, R-Kan., Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, today addressed the Washington International Trade Association, highlighting the benefits of NAFTA to American agriculture and the numerous associated American jobs. Roberts then participated in a agriculture trade discussion with Ambassador Max Baucus, former Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee and U.S. Ambassador to China; and Grant Aldonas, former Under Secretary… Continue Reading
12.11.17
Senate Agriculture Committee Sends USDA Nominee Stephen Vaden to Full Senate
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Chairman Pat Roberts, R-Kan., today announced the Committee voted to favorably report nominee Stephen Alexander Vaden, of Tennessee, to be General Counsel of the Department of Agriculture. Mr. Vaden may now be considered by the full U.S. Senate for confirmation. "I am pleased to report the Senate Agriculture Committee has swiftly, in a bipartisan fashion, approved another USDA nominee," Roberts said. "To best serve… Continue Reading
12.08.17
Chairman Roberts Announces Committee Vote on USDA Nominee Stephen Vaden
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Chairman Pat Roberts, R-Kan., today announced the Committee will hold a business meeting to consider the nomination of Stephen Alexander Vaden, of Tennessee, to be General Counsel of the Department of Agriculture. Date: Monday, December 11, 2017 Time: 5:45 p.m., when a necessary quorum is present Place: S-216, President's Room The Committee held a hearing on the nominee on Nov. 9. -30-… Continue Reading
