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| Rep. Adrian Smith |
Their willingness to lead is an important responsibility, as Nebraska’s Third District is the top-producing agriculture district in the country. With more than 35,000 farms in the Third District alone, agriculture supports one in four Nebraska jobs and contributes more than $23 billion to our state economy. Nebraska is also number two in ethanol production, with the Third District distilling more ethanol than any other congressional district.
These numbers represent great opportunity, but we must be vigilant against unsound policies and burdensome regulations. At the conference, many young people expressed concern about the Waters of the U.S. rule, or WOTUS, being forced upon producers, land owners, and local officials by the President’s activist Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Though I introduced the resolution of disapproval in the House to block WOTUS, and Congress passed the Senate version, the President unsurprisingly answered with a veto. We will not stop fighting this abuse of power, and the courts will continue to closely examine the legality of the administration’s actions. I have also introduced legislation to cut red tape on ethanol, extending the same waiver to E15 fuel which E10 has already received.
As founder and co-chairman of the Modern Agriculture Caucus, I am focused on getting the government out of the way of innovation and promoting scientifically-based policies. The world's population is expected to surpass nine billion by 2050, with food demand projected to grow by as much as 60 percent. Farmers have found ways to increase yields while using fewer resources, and the next generation of producers must be able to further innovate in order to feed the world.
To ensure our future farmers and ranchers have a level playing field in the global marketplace, we must pursue international trade agreements. Our trading partners do not always follow the rules, putting U.S. producers at a disadvantage. Through trade negotiations, we can establish science-based, enforceable standards. Trade also plays an important role in Nebraska’s economy, supporting one in five jobs in our state.
Despite the positive aspects of trade, the devil is in the details – and it is the responsibility of Congress to carefully review these agreements. We must ensure negotiations remove barriers and open more markets for our producers to sell their products, rather than simply opening our markets to other countries.
Right now, I am carefully vetting the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement and gathering feedback from Third District producers and consumers to determine whether it is in their best interest. Negotiations continue on the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership between the U.S. and the European Union, which provides another opportunity to combat unscientific efforts to keep modern agriculture products out of the marketplace.
As hundreds of young farmers and ranchers prepare to step into their role as the future of Nebraska agriculture, I am confident in their ability to innovate and overcome the challenges they will undoubtedly face. In Congress, I will continue leading efforts to reduce barriers to their success and allow the Third District to remain our country’s agriculture leader.
These numbers represent great opportunity, but we must be vigilant against unsound policies and burdensome regulations. At the conference, many young people expressed concern about the Waters of the U.S. rule, or WOTUS, being forced upon producers, land owners, and local officials by the President’s activist Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Though I introduced the resolution of disapproval in the House to block WOTUS, and Congress passed the Senate version, the President unsurprisingly answered with a veto. We will not stop fighting this abuse of power, and the courts will continue to closely examine the legality of the administration’s actions. I have also introduced legislation to cut red tape on ethanol, extending the same waiver to E15 fuel which E10 has already received.
As founder and co-chairman of the Modern Agriculture Caucus, I am focused on getting the government out of the way of innovation and promoting scientifically-based policies. The world's population is expected to surpass nine billion by 2050, with food demand projected to grow by as much as 60 percent. Farmers have found ways to increase yields while using fewer resources, and the next generation of producers must be able to further innovate in order to feed the world.
To ensure our future farmers and ranchers have a level playing field in the global marketplace, we must pursue international trade agreements. Our trading partners do not always follow the rules, putting U.S. producers at a disadvantage. Through trade negotiations, we can establish science-based, enforceable standards. Trade also plays an important role in Nebraska’s economy, supporting one in five jobs in our state.
Despite the positive aspects of trade, the devil is in the details – and it is the responsibility of Congress to carefully review these agreements. We must ensure negotiations remove barriers and open more markets for our producers to sell their products, rather than simply opening our markets to other countries.
Right now, I am carefully vetting the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement and gathering feedback from Third District producers and consumers to determine whether it is in their best interest. Negotiations continue on the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership between the U.S. and the European Union, which provides another opportunity to combat unscientific efforts to keep modern agriculture products out of the marketplace.
As hundreds of young farmers and ranchers prepare to step into their role as the future of Nebraska agriculture, I am confident in their ability to innovate and overcome the challenges they will undoubtedly face. In Congress, I will continue leading efforts to reduce barriers to their success and allow the Third District to remain our country’s agriculture leader.
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