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Congressman Jodey Arrington (TX-19), a member of the House Committee on Agriculture, sent a letter to Chairman Conaway and Ranking Member Peterson and delivered a speech on the House floor outlining West Texas’ priorities in the next farm bill. To read the letter, click HERE.

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A full transcript of Congressman Arrington’s speech follows below. “Mr. Speaker, I am proud to represent a rural district in West Texas that is home to 14 million acres of farmland and thousands of hardworking farmers and ranchers. “These men and women are feeding and clothing the American people, they're bolstering our economy, and they're strengthening our national security. “As a member of the House Agriculture Committee, I'm committed to delivering results that are in the best interest, not only of West Texans, but all Americans, and doing that with my neighbor and strong leader of the Ag Committee, Mike Conaway. “As we craft the next farm bill, there are a few priorities that, if achieved, will put our United States farmers and ranchers, and our country as a whole, in the strongest, most competitive position. “The first is, we must maintain America's food and fiber independence from other countries, which, like energy independence, is a national security imperative. “To achieve this objective, we must maintain a viable and responsible safety net for all commodities, which means the committee must work in a bipartisan way to get cotton back in under Title 1 of the Farm Bill, and we can never again let the World Trade Organization dictate agriculture policy to the United States. “Addressing the gaping hole in the current agriculture safety net for cotton, and fixing other shortfalls in the risk management program for both crops and livestock, will ensure a strong, viable ag sector for the United States, and for rural America. “Ultimately, we must maintain appropriate programs to mitigate against unforeseen global market changes in commodity prices, ensure against adverse weather events, and maintain access to credit, so farmers across the country can continue to supply America with an abundant and affordable source of food. “Additionally, as Texas is the top cattle producing state in the nation and represents over $10 billion in annual cash receipts nationwide, maintaining key livestock disaster programs are equally important to a responsible and effective safety net for our ag producers. “Second, our rural communities need greater access to broadband communications to be viable in the modern era. “Increasing access to broadband is fundamental to the survival of rural America. It is necessary to support critical infrastructure such as health care and education, and for overall economic sustainability so that we can finally close the digital divide between rural and urban America. “Let me put it to you this way; No rural America means no food, fuel and fiber for the American people. “Third, we need another generation of farmers and ranchers. “The American agriculturist is facing tough times. “The average age of the farmer is nearly 60 and the number of people involved in ag production in their 30's and 40's continues to decrease dramatically, and this, with less than 1 percent of the American population involved in ag production. “The math doesn't look promising. “Operating expenses continue to rise and farmers, particularly the young ones, have less equity to finance their operations. “Farmers of all ages need a dependable and flexible operating loan structure with loan amounts that are useful, and we must work to ensure that USDA has the flexibility it needs to extend credit in the most meaningful way. “Fourth, innovation makes it possible for the farmer and rancher to continue to operate. “Ensuring adequate and equitable research funding for agriculture colleges across the country is key. “Let's not just pour all of our money into the land-grant institutions just because they're land-grant institutions; let's fund the best ideas. It's called meritocracy. It was what our country was founded on. “As former Vice Chancellor for Research and Technology Commercialization at Texas Tech University, I saw some of the best and most innovative ideas spawn from research, go to the market, and make a difference for our economy and the quality of our lives. “Lastly, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program needs more focused accountability. “As we craft the next farm bill, we should continue to monitor the effectiveness of all programs, but especially SNAP, which accounts for 80 percent of all spending in the farm bill. “While the intent of SNAP is well meaning, the unintended consequence is an increase of recipients who are work-capable adults without dependents, accounting for nearly 30 percent of all recipients. It is imperative to require that able-bodied adults work in order to receive government assistance. Not just in SNAP, but all government programs. “Mister Speaker, in closing, our farmers and ranchers are essential to the vitality and security of this great nation, and this legislation is extremely critical to the success of our farmers. “By including the priorities I've outlined today in the next farm bill, we can ensure a safer, stronger, freer America for our children. “Mister Speaker, I yield back.”

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