Thune and Noem Lead Bipartisan, Bicameral Effort to Expand Sodsaver Initiative

U.S. Sens. John Thune (R-S.D.) and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), members of the Senate Agriculture Committee, and U.S. Reps. Kristi Noem (R-S.D.) and Tim Walz (D-Minn.), a member of the House Agriculture Committee, today introduced companion versions of the bipartisan American Prairie Conservation Act (S. 1913 and H.R. 3939). This new sodsaver legislation, which, according the Congressional Budget Office, would save more than $50 million over ten years, would disincentivize the conversion of native sod to cropland by closing a crop insurance yield substitution loophole in all 50 states. Thune first authored sodsaver initiatives in the 2008 and 2014 farm bills for nationwide implementation.

Sodsaver, which has only been implemented in South Dakota, North Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa, Montana, and Nebraska, is a cost-saving initiative that disincentivizes, but does not prevent, farmers from converting native sod to cropland. Farmers who choose to break up native sod and convert it to cropland face a reduction in crop insurance premium subsidy assistance and a reduction in guaranteed yields of insured crops.

“By closing loopholes and applying these more effective sodsaver provisions nationwide, we can save taxpayers money, eliminate an unintended crop insurance incentive to break native sod, and protect America’s diminishing prairie grasslands that are so important to our grazing livestock producers,” said Thune. “Not only is this an example of a good-government solution, but the savings achieved by our bill could be used elsewhere in an already cash-strapped farm bill.”

“The sodsaver provision we implemented in six Midwestern states as part of the 2014 Farm Bill has successfully reduced the conversion of native sod, saved taxpayer dollars, and encouraged wildlife habitat,” said Klobuchar. “Our bipartisan legislation would extend this small, commonsense change to the crop insurance program and boost conservation efforts and savings nationwide.”

“As an avid hunter and a lifelong farmer, I truly appreciate that in South Dakota our hunting tradition is just as strong as our commitment to agriculture,” said Noem. “With the Protect Our Prairies language included, the 2014 Farm Bill has helped strike a healthier balance between production and conservation in the Prairie Pothole Region. With proven results and the prospect of additional savings for taxpayers, now is the time to expand the program nationwide.”

“I am proud to re-introduce this legislation that will conserve critical wildlife habitat while allowing farmers to manage their lands as they see fit,” said Walz. “By working together and promoting common sense conservation practices we can protect critical wildlife habitat, support our farmers, and support the hunting and fishing industry that is an integral part of our state’s economy.”

The American Prairie Conservation Act would:

Apply sodsaver’s prohibition to substitute crop insurance yields on native sod that is converted to cropland nationwide;
By requiring crop insurance premium subsidies and yield guarantees be reduced for a total of four cumulative years for any crop, close an existing loophole that allows certain noninsured crops to be planted four consecutive years with no reduction in crop insurance assistance for succeeding insured crops;

Make crop insurance assistance more reflective of production capabilities on all native sod that is converted to cropland nationwide;

Require producers who convert native sod to cropland to certify to the Farm Service Agency the number and location of acres of native sod that are converted in an existing automated crop certification system so the converted acres would be accurately tracked;

Apply to both crop insurance and the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program.

A loophole in existing sodsaver statute allows producers to plant non-insurable crops on newly converted native sod for four successive years. After the four successive-year window, producers could then plant insurable crops, such as corn, wheat, and soybeans, without any reduction in crop insurance assistance. The American Prairie Conservation Act requires four cumulative years of crop insurance assistance reductions before insurable crops planted on native sod that are converted to cropland are no longer subject to sodsaver provisions.

U.S. Sens. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) and Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) are cosponsors of the American Prairie Conservation Act.

Rounds Introduces FSA Loan Guarantee Enhancement Act

Washington, D.C. - October 5, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) today introduced legislation to enhance the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) farm loan programs. The Farm Service Agency (FSA) Loan Guarantee Enhancement Act would assist lenders in supporting producers during times of economic downturn within the ag sector.

“The FSA Loan Guarantee program provides financial assistance to farmers and ranchers who want to expand and improve their operations,” said Rounds. “Increasing both the individual cap for these loans and the total amount of money available for lending will allow a greater number of producers to utilize the program. Farming and ranching has become increasingly costly. The FSA Loan Guarantee Enhancement Act would more accurately reflect inflation and the increasing costs of agriculture production today, and make sure lenders have the flexibility to allow farmers and ranchers to weather times of economic downturn.”

Specifically, Rounds’ legislation would:

raise USDA guaranteed ownership and operating loan guarantee from $1.4 million to $3 million,

increase authorized private-sector loan offerings for guaranteed operating and ownership loans from $3 billion to $8 billion and raises the authorization for direct loans up to $3 billion, to match current funding levels.

provide spending assurance, rather than have these programs depend on annual appropriations.

Since it was established in 1979, the authorization amounts and funding for FSA loans have never been increased. The FSA Loan Guarantee Enhancement Act would increase and update the authorization of resources available for these loans for the first time in nearly 40 years. It is supported by the Independent Community Bankers Association (ICBA), SD ICBA, the American Bankers Association and the Farm Credit Council.

Irma Wipes Out 70 percent of Florida's Orange Crops

Source: House Representative Vern Buchanan (R-FL, 16th)

Washington, D.C. - September 25, 2017  (The Ponder News) -- After Hurricane Irma wiped out as much as 70 percent of Florida's orange crop, U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan called for immediate action in Congress to help struggling citrus farmers recover.

“Florida farmers are facing an emergency,” Buchanan said. “Between Irma and the devastating citrus greening disease, we can't wait any longer to provide citrus growers with the relief they need.”

Prior to Hurricane Irma, the Florida citrus industry had already experienced a 75 percent drop in production due to citrus greening, an incurable bacterial disease that has infected nearly all of Florida’s commercial citrus groves.

According to Michael Sparks, executive director of Florida Citrus Mutual, Hurricane Irma had a catastrophic effect on Florida citrus. Sparks estimated that nearly every grove in the state has been damaged to some degree by the storm.

Buchanan’s Emergency Citrus Disease Response Act would make it less costly for growers to replace trees damaged by Hurricane Irma or citrus greening. The bill provides tax incentives for farmers who cannot afford to replace damaged trees.

Under current law, growers are allowed an immediate deduction for the cost of replanting trees, but the farmer must bear the full cost. Buchanan’s proposal would allow struggling farmers to use this deduction even if they bring in investors to raise capital for replanting costs, as long as the grower continues to own a major stake in the grove.

“This bill will go a long way toward protecting the livelihoods of the 62,000 hardworking Floridians in our signature citrus industry,” Buchanan said.

Every member of Florida’s 29-member congressional delegation in both the U.S. House and Senate has co-sponsored Buchanan’s legislation, which passed the House by a 400-20 vote in 2016 but did not pass the Senate before Congress adjourned.

The bill has been endorsed by the Bradenton Herald, the Sarasota Herald-Tribune, the Lakeland Ledger, Sun Newspapers, the Panama City News Herald and the Ocala Star-Ledger. The Ledger called Buchanan's legislation a “must pass” while the Bradenton Herald said it was a “no-brainer.”

Experts estimate a 50 to 70 percent crop loss in south Florida from Hurricane Irma. Florida growers are seeing up to 90 percent losses in some places.

Shannon Stepp, executive director of the Florida Department of Citrus, said “before Hurricane Irma, there was a good chance we would have more than 75 million boxes of oranges on the trees this season; we now have much less.”

Buchanan is a senior member of the U.S. House Ways and Means Committee, which has jurisdiction over tax legislation.

Small Business, London Attack, Trumpcare, Obamacare, Keystone XL Pipeline, Planned Parenthood, Black Communities, Women, Students, Addiction, Identity Theft, Agriculture

Loudermilk Supports Small Business/Lower Cost Health Insurance for Employees
Barry Loudermilk (R-GA, 11th)
March 22, 2017
“For 15 of the 20 years I owned a small business, my employees received affordable health insurance through a group plan. However, even though my employees were promised they could keep their existing health care plan under the ACA, the government determined their insurance wasn't good enough and forced them into more expensive plans with less coverage. Obamacare was a complete disaster for my employees and my business. The House has passed legislation that will allow businesses to join together to form group health insurance plans for their employees. As promised, we are removing government restrictions, giving these business owners freedom to negotiate lower costs of health care for their employees.”
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UTAHN KILLED IN TERROR ATTACK IN LONDON: REP. LOVE STATEMENT
Mia Love (R-UT, 4th)
March 23, 2017
"I am heartbroken to hear about the violent death of Kurt Cochran and the serious injury of his wife Melissa in London Wednesday. This kind of vicious terrorist attack cannot be tolerated. We, as Utahns are united in grief and loss, and our thoughts and prayers go out to their friends and family."
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LOWEY STATEMENT ON LONDON ATTACK
Nita Lowey (D-NY, 17th)
March 22, 2017
"Today’s evil attack on Great Britain is horrifying, and I condemn it in the strongest possible terms. It is still too early to determine what exactly occurred, but it is clear that those responsible must be brought to justice immediately. The special relationship between the United States and the United Kingdom has endured for generations, and I will continue working to ensure that we fully supports our friends in their investigation of this apparent act of terror. My thoughts and prayers are with the people of London and the victims of this senseless attack."
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Luetkemeyer Supports Bill to Help Small Businesses and Workers Receive Affordable Health-Care
Blaine Luetkemeyer (R-MI, 3rd)
March 21, 2017
“Over the last several years, the number of small business, with fewer than 10 employees, offering health insurance to their employees has dropped by almost 36 percent – in large part due to Obamacare,” Luetkemeyer said. “By creating these Association Health Plans for small businesses to purchase quality health care for workers and families at an affordable cost, the House of Representatives has taken the next step in the repeal and repeal process."
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LUJAN STATEMENT ON THE POSTPONED HOUSE VOTE ON TRUMPCARE
Ben R. Lujan (D-NM, 3rd)
March 23, 2017
“President Trump and Congressional Republicans hatched a bill in a back room and tried to slip it through the House with no hearings before anyone – even members of their own party – were able to understand the details,” said Lujan. “And when those details did come out – the fact that this bill strips health insurance from millions of Americans, increases the cost of premiums and deductibles, and creates a crushing age tax on Americans over 50 – President Trump, Speaker Paul Ryan and House Republicans got caught pulling a fast one on the American people.”
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Politifact: Rep. Maloney Claim that More than Half of Planned Parenthood Centers Serve Rural or Medically Underserved Communities is True
Carolyn Maloney (D-NY, 12th)
March 24, 2017
“Americans need to know how much damage taking away funding from Planned Parenthood would cause, which is why I took to the floorto urge my colleagues to vote no on the Republican American Health Care Act. Planned Parenthood provides services to so many men and women who would otherwise be unable to access care. A vote for this bill, a vote to defund Planned Parenthood, is a vote to endanger the health of millions of Americans.”
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Maloney Introduces Federal Legislation to Combat Heroin and Opioid Epidemic
Sean Patrick Maloney (D-NY, 18th)
March 20, 2017
In response to the heroin and opioid epidemic, Representative Sean Patrick Maloney (NY-18) joined Dutchess County Executive Marcus Molinaro and City of Poughkeepsie Mayor Rob Rolison in Poughkeepsie to introduce federal legislation to combat the opioid and heroin crisis and stop mass incarceration of abusers and low-level drug offenders nationwide. By allowing police officers to use their discretion to divert individuals directly to treatment instead of booking them and processing them through the criminal justice system, these programs give police officers the flexibility they need to help curb the growing opioid epidemic, decrease low-level drug crime, and reduce the number of low-level drug related arrests.
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MARCHANT INTRODUCES LEGISLATION PROTECTING CHILDREN FROM IDENTITY THEFT
Kenny Marchant (R-TX, 24th)
March 15, 2017
U.S. Congressmen Kenny Marchant (R-TX-24) and Lloyd Doggett (D-TX-35) introduced the Social Security Child Protection Act (HR 1512). The legislation allows the Social Security Administration (SSA) to issue a new Social Security Number (SSN) to children age 13 and under who have had their SSN stolen due to inadvertent disclosure.
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Rep. McCaul and Sens. Moran, Ernst Introduce Legislation to Support Young People in Agriculture
Michael T. McCaul (R-TX, 10th)
March 21, 2017
U.S. Representative Michael McCaul (R-Texas) and U.S. Senators Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) and Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) today introduced legislation to support young people in agriculture by creating a tax exemption for the first $5,000 of income students 18 years of age or younger earn from projects completed through 4-H or FFA. Their bills, the Student Agriculture Protection Act (SAPA) (H.R. 1626) and the Agriculture Students Encourage, Acknowledge, Reward, Nurture (EARN) Act (S. 671), enable students to keep more of the modest income they earn, which can then be invested in education savings or future agricultural projects.
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Repeal and Replace
Tom McClintock (R-CA, 4th)
March 21, 2017
Any discussion of the American Health Care Act needs first to consider where we will be without it. Obamacare is collapsing. More people are paying the steep tax penalty or claiming hardship exemptions than are choosing to buy Obamacare policies. In a third of the counties across America, there is only one provider to choose and soon we will see counties where there are no providers at all. Obamacare premiums soared an average of 25 percent last year, and we’re warned this year will be worse.
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McCollum Floor Remarks Opposing TrumpCare
Betty McCollum (D-MN, 4th)
March 24, 2017
Mr. Speaker, TrumpCare is a disaster for children, families, seniors, and people with disabilities.
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McGovern: Taking Healthcare Away Requires a Heart of Stone
James McGovern (D-MA, 2nd)
March 24, 2017
U.S. Congressman Jim McGovern (D-MA), the top Democrat leading debate today against the American Health Care Act, delivered the following speech on the House floor in an appeal to the compassion of both Republicans and Democrats to stand up for the families they represent and stop this dangerous bill from becoming law.
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Rep. McSally Secures $15 Billion in the AHCA for Maternity Care, Substance Abuse Treatment, and Mental Health Care
Martha McSally (R-AZ, 2nd)
March 23, 2017
U.S. Representatives Martha McSally (AZ-02) worked with House Republican Leadership and the Trump Administration to further improve the American Health Care Act (AHCA). She successfully negotiated to provide states, through the Patient and State Stability Fund, with supplemental funding so they have the ability to obtain additional resources that will provide new mothers and those struggling with mental and substance abuse disorders access to care while the nation transitions to the new health care system. House leadership and the White House has agreed to incorporate these changes into the AHCA.
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Meehan, DelBene Introduce HELP for Students and Parents Act
Pat Meehan (R-PA, 7th)
March 22, 2017
Congressman Patrick Meehan (R-Pa.) and Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (D-Wa.) this week introduced the Higher Education Loan Payments (HELP) for Students and Parents Act, bipartisan legislation that will make college more affordable by modernizing how the tax code treats employer contributions toward student loan repayment.
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House Passes Meng Legislation Honoring 100th Anniversary of First Woman Sworn-Into Congress
Grace Meng (D-NY, 6th)
March 21, 2017
As the nation continues its observance of Women’s History Month, the House of Representatives passed legislation sponsored by U.S. Rep. Grace Meng (D-NY) that would honor the 100th anniversary of the first woman sworn-into Congress, former Rep. Jeannette Rankin (R-Montana).
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MITCHELL STATEMENT ON AMERICAN HEALTH CARE ACT VOTE TODAY
Paul Mitchell (R MI, 10th)
March 24, 2017
“Like many of my colleagues, I ran for Congress with the promise of fixing our broken health care system. The American Health Care Act is an important step toward restoring health care in America.
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Moore Meets with Trump to Discuss Issues Facing Black Communities
Gwen Moore (D-WI, 4th)
March 23, 2017
“We met with President Trump to express our concerns over a disturbing trend of disregard for our communities and to convey our collective alarm over his proposed budget and policy agenda. I entered the meeting with a healthy dose of skepticism and left the White House with a sense of cautious optimism, but only time will tell if the president and his advisors are willing to take action on our recommendations. For the sake of every constituent who is far too familiar with the sting of racism and discrimination, living in communities that are underserved and overpoliced, I truly hope our words didn’t fall on deaf ears."
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Congressman Nadler Speaks in Opposition to Republican’s “Pay More, Get Less” Health Care Proposal
Jerrold Nadler (D-NY, 10th)
March 24, 2017
Congressman Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) spoke in opposition to the House Republican’s proposed American Health Care Act, which throws 24 million Americans off their health insurance while raising heath care costs. For New York, the Republican bill would take away health care from 2.7 million people, costing State taxpayers $6.9 billion in additional costs.
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Noem: Keystone XL Opens Opportunities for South Dakota
Kristi Noem (R-South Dakota)
March 24, 2017
“Access to energy is central to improving our national security and building a more robust economy that offers better jobs and higher wages. Not only does the Keystone XL Pipeline offer these large-scale benefits for our country, its construction will translate into added revenue for cash-strapped South Dakota counties, relief on our roads and rails, and job opportunities for folks across our state. I’m glad to see President Trump move forward on this critical piece of American infrastructure.”
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Congressman Norcross Demands Republicans Reinstate Addiction Coverage in TrumpCare Bill
Donald Norcross (D-NJ, 1st)
March 24, 2017
As Republicans in Congress debated changes to their health care bill, Congressman Donald Norcross (NJ-01) today led a group of Representatives petitioning President Donald Trump to reverse provisions that would threaten coverage for drug addiction treatment.
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Norton to Introduce Legislation to Collect and Publish National Demographic Data on Missing Children
Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.)
March 24, 2017
“Congress has long recognized that missing children is a national problem,” Norton said. “In 2013, Congress required the Department of Justice to conduct every three years national incidence studies of missing children. Such a study is now underway. However, my bill would require the Department of Justice’s Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention to collect, break down, and publish demographic subsets of these missing children. It is critical that the public know if there is a disproportionate number of missing children of color, particularly missing girls of color, which we believe is an underreported national problem. Experts need to first measure the incidences, and then study whether children have been trafficked, abducted, are running away, or are missing for other reasons, and what they recommend we can do about it.”
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