Pulaski Times

U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR), ranking member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, issued a statement following the U.S. House Committee on Agriculture's approval of the "Farm, Food and National Security Act of 2024." This marks a significant step towards finalizing the farm bill.

"I commend Chairman GT Thompson and his team for putting in the hard work to draft a farm bill that embraces bipartisan priorities and ushering it through committee approval," Boozman stated. He emphasized that the bill aligns with many goals shared by Senate Republicans.

"The House bill modernizes the farm safety net, expands market access, maintains a focus on locally-led conservation programs, ensures Americans in need will continue to receive nutrition benefits and invests in the rural communities our farmers, ranchers and foresters call home—all while finding solutions for funding these and a host of other widely supported priorities," he added.

Boozman praised Chairman Thompson's leadership in advancing legislation that addresses the needs of various stakeholders including farmers, ranchers, foresters, rural communities, and consumers. "Chairman Thompson has demonstrated tremendous leadership in bringing a farm bill up for committee consideration that meets the needs of farmers, ranchers, foresters, rural communities and consumers across America and puts more farm in the farm bill."

He also commended members of the House Ag Committee who supported advancing this long-overdue legislation. "I commend the members of the House Ag Committee that voted in support of advancing legislation that is long overdue and will help ensure the vitality of farmers, ranchers and rural communities in spite of continued inflationary pressures and depressed market prices."

Boozman concluded by highlighting this development as significant progress toward enacting a new farm bill into law. "This is the first real progress toward a new farm bill becoming law. My colleagues and I on the Republican side of the committee are committed to moving the process forward. We intend to release our farm bill framework that reflects the Senate’s shared commitments across all 12 titles in the coming weeks."