Farmers, Ranchers, Foresters, and Consumers Deserve Certainty

Floor Speech

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Mr. FEENSTRA. Mr. Speaker, the farm bill continues to be a vital investment to our producers, our competition with China, and our American economy. An important component of this farm bill is the crop insurance program.

Before coming to Congress, I sold crop insurance in my hometown of Hull, Iowa. I can confidently say that this program is a crucial piece to the safety net of the farming community.

When severe whether strikes like we had in Iowa with a derecho several years ago, the economy can take a turn very quickly. Crop insurance protects that farmer during the most unpredictable times.

That is why we must pass the farm bill that includes this robust investment in Federal crop insurance programs. I was proud to introduce legislation that would help deliver a discount to help the next generation of Iowa farmers who utilize this important management tool.

With nearly 40 percent of American farmland expected to change hands in the next two decades, this bill will make investments to the next generation and not allow our farmland to fall into the hands of our foreign adversaries.

My bill and the farm bill at large will help keep families rooted in rural communities, continue Iowa's proud tradition of farm families, and keep China away from our farmland.

I represent the second-largest agriculture-producing district in the country. It has over 50,000 active farm crop insurance policies.

I will continue to be a strong voice for agriculture and ensure that we pass a strong farm bill for Iowa and the Nation that enhances crop insurance and assists the next generation.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Thompson for his leadership. I look forward to working with my colleagues to get this farm bill passed this year to provide certainty for our farmers, producers, and rural communities.

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