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Chairman Roberts Praises Passage of FAST Act and Restoration of Crop Insurance Cuts

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Pat Roberts, R-Kan., Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, today is pleased to announce House and Senate passage of H.R. 22, the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act. The FAST Act includes a provision to restore a $3 billion crop insurance cut originally included in the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015. During acolloquy on the Senate Floor in October, Chairman Roberts highlighted an agreement he brokered with Senate leadership to restore crop insurance funds by the end of the year. 

“When the cuts to crop insurance were announced earlier this year, the message from farm country could not have been clearer: do not target crop insurance,” Roberts said. 

“I thank Senate Majority Leader McConnell, Senate Majority Whip Cornyn, Senate Republican Conference Chairman Thune, Senator Inhofe, House leadership and Agriculture Committee Chairman Conaway for their work on behalf of American agriculture and making good on their commitment to restore these critical funds.” 

“Though there’s certainly no silver bullet to ensure success in agriculture, the federal crop insurance program allows producers to manage their own risks and to have peace of mind when putting their seed in the ground. I’m proud to lead a Committee that continues to put the farmers first.” 

A provision was also included eliminating a burdensome regulation that requires agriculture industry professionals to obtain a hazardous material endorsement before transporting diesel fuel critical for a number of agricultural operations. This provision closely resembles standalone legislation the senator has championed.

The FAST Act is now on its way to the President’s desk to be signed into law.