During House floor remarks on Wednesday, Rep. Mike Bost (R-IL) spoke about the 2024 Farm Bill.
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NewsTranscript
00:00 Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak in support of the 2024 Farm Bill.
00:07 The Farm Bill touches the lives of every person in this country.
00:11 No matter who you are or where you're from, rural or urban or suburban,
00:16 that's why it is such an honor to be the Southern Illinois voice on the House Agriculture Committee.
00:23 I've been given the opportunity to build an incredible relationship with our farmers across my district,
00:28 and I've sought their input in traveling around to meet with them where they're at.
00:33 Their feedback has been critical in this process.
00:37 And for me, this Farm Bill is a partnership with my people.
00:43 Farmers and producers in my district understand the positive impact the Farm Bill has on rural communities.
00:51 Now, Southern Illinois Agriculture is our second largest employer just behind Scott Air Force Base,
00:57 and I am proud to serve the 10,000 producers in one of the most diverse ag districts in this United States.
01:05 In addition to growing staples like corn, soybeans, we're also home to a variety of specialty crops, livestock and dairy.
01:15 While each one might be different, they all share the same goal, a strong farm safety net.
01:22 Our farmers produce the food, fuel and fiber that this nation runs on.
01:28 They play an essential role in our communities.
01:32 It's only right that we support them and have their backs in times of need.
01:38 That is why the Farm Bill exists. It is not just written for good times. It is also written for bad.
01:46 When your crops fail, the Farm Bill provides a safety net.
01:50 When you need a loan to save a family farm, the Farm Bill ensures access to credit.
01:56 When your community needs an updated water system, the Farm Bill secures that funding.
02:01 When your rural home lacks internet access, the Farm Bill bridges that gap for broadband service.
02:08 And when you need help feeding your family, the Farm Bill supports healthy nutrition programs to make sure Americans don't go to bed hungry.
02:19 The Farm Bill has always been a top priority for me.
02:23 By reinforcing crop insurance, boosting commodity reference prices, we're supporting the agricultural industries on their worst days and investing in them into tomorrow.
02:35 This is vitally important.
02:38 Now another key priority of mine is ensuring farmers are not able to not only feed folks at home, but around the world.
02:46 My district is blessed to be located between the Mississippi and Ohio rivers.
02:51 We are strategically placed to export our commodities abroad.
02:55 In 2022, Illinois exports for corn and soybean totaled over $3.5 billion.
03:03 The MAP and FMD programs play a critical role in moving commodities from farmers to field to foreign markets.
03:11 However, these programs are often oversubscribed and underfunded, leaving producers at a competitive disadvantage on the global market.
03:22 We need to bolster these programs and expand into new markets and strengthening our trade relations.
03:29 Lastly, we need to establish guidelines for large solar panel projects that are eating up acres after acre of prime farmland.
03:39 My constituents have had enough.
03:42 We must give local communities say in the approval of the process.
03:47 That is why I'm pleased that the bill, the Solar Act, has been included in this legislation.
03:55 We're giving producers the flexibility to use solar energy on their farms while setting guidelines for large projects.
04:02 To close, Mr. Speaker, I would like to restate my support for the Farm Bill.
04:08 The bill is a big win for our farmers.
04:11 It will have a big impact across the country.
04:14 And I urge my colleagues on the Agriculture Committee to support this bill as it moves through the markup process tomorrow.
04:21 And I hope it will receive strong support on the House floor as well.
04:26 With that, Mr. Speaker, I yield back.