The House passed the Agriculture and Nutrition Act of 2018 (H.R. 2) on Thursday, critical legislation to address the economic challenges facing the nation’s farmers and ranchers, while making significant investments in opportunities for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients. Upon passage, House Agriculture Committee Chairman K. Michael Conaway, the National Cattleman’s Beef Association, and others, issued remarks.

National Cattlemen’s Beef Association President Kevin Kester issued the following statement in response to the U.S. House of Representative’s 213-211 vote to approve H.R. 2, the Agriculture and Nutrition Act:

“Today’s vote means that American cattlemen and women are one step closer to having the certainty they need to continue running their operations and contributing to rural economies. We are glad the House-passed bill addresses a number of priorities for producers, including authorization and funding for a national vaccine bank that prioritizes Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) prevention. The bill also strengthens conservation programs and improves USDA’s foreign market development activities. House Agriculture Chairman Mike Conaway and all those who voted ‘yes’ deserve a great deal of thanks for their support.” Read more…

Upon passage, House Agriculture Committee Chairman K. Michael Conaway (TX-11) issued the following remarks:

“Today’s vote was about keeping faith with the men and women of rural America and about the enduring promise of the dignity of a day’s work. It was about providing certainty to farmers and ranchers who have been struggling under the weight of a five-year recession and about providing our neighbors in need with more than just a hand out, but a hand up. I’m proud of what this body has accomplished, and now look forward to working with the Senate and the president to deliver a farm bill on time to the American people.” Read more…

Texas Farm Bureau President Russell Boening said, “Today’s passage of the 2018 Farm Bill in the U.S. House of Representatives is a positive step in ensuring Texas farmers and ranchers are able to continue providing the food and fiber our nation relies on. Every day, farmers and ranchers face uncertain weather conditions, commodity markets and global turmoil.The farm bill provides the stability, risk management tools and certainty that agriculture and American consumers need.”

“We’re thankful for the leadership Chairman Mike Conaway and House Speaker Paul Ryan showed in ensuring the bill’s passage through the House.

“We look forward to continuing to work with Congress as the Senate considers its bill. It is likely a conference committee will be appointed to work out the differences in the two bills. We are confident a bill that meets the interests of farmers and consumers will be the result.” Read more…