Agriculture
Washington, D.C. — Republican Leader of the House Agriculture Committee Glenn ‘GT' Thompson (PA-15) and Congressman Antonio Delgado (NY-19) have introduced a bill to allow for unflavored and flavored whole milk to be offered in school cafeterias.
The Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act of 2021 highlights the many benefits milk provides to young Americans. From providing numerous essential nutrients to multiple health benefits, milk remains critical to youth development.
Farm Journal news director John Herath sits in for Chip this morning and we have a packed show. U.S. Representative Glenn "GT" Thompson (PA-15) discusses the COVID-19 package that was passed late last week. Geoff Cooper, president and CEO of the Renewable Fuels Association, talks about the 10th Circuit Appeals Court's ruling being endorsed by the EPA and what happens next. And Lance Honig, crops branch chief at USDA-NASS, explains the March survey and addresses some concerns farmers have expressed over it.
The House Agriculture Committee is often touted as a sanctum of bipartisanship. It was anything but as the first markup of the 117th Congress was held, examining a majority-drafted coronavirus aid bill.
One Republican sponsored amendment, also backed by Democrat Cindy Axne of Iowa, made it through committee. That addition, that would have extended WHIP+ disaster aid to 2020 events such as the Iowa derecho, was stripped out of the legislation in the rules committee.
House Agriculture Committee Republicans plan to introduce their own Covid-19 relief plan Thursday, showcasing their priorities for a bipartisan package.
The discussion draft spearheaded by ranking member Glenn "GT" Thompson (Pa.) and other panel Republicans would provide $2.1 billion for rural health clinics, hospitals, schools, and other facilities, and $1 billion for biofuels producers hurt by the pandemic, among other measures to support farmers, ranchers, and rural communities.
The House Agriculture Committee plans to pursue climate change remedies, social justice, and aid for rural America in a sweeping agenda when Chairman David Scott (D-Ga.) and ranking member Glenn "GT" Thompson (R-Pa.) take over amid the coronavirus pandemic.
"Each of these issues we have to touch — climate change, status of Black farmers, food security, rural-urban divide, and crop insurance — we've got to unite together as Democrats and Republicans, and save our nation before it's too late," Scott said.
The new COVID Relief Bill contained much more than $600 for individuals. It did something the CARES Act of 2019 did not do; it included relief for agriculture.
"There are some good things for agriculture in the COVID relief bill," said U.S. Rep. Glenn "GT" Thompson (R-15) who is the new Republican leader on the Agriculture Committee.
The coronavirus relief bill that has been approved by Congress includes much-needed help for the agriculture industry, Congressman Glenn Thompson says.
For Rep. Glenn Thompson, R-Centre, the COVID-19 pandemic has showed the value — and vulnerability — of regions like Pennsylvania's 15th Congressional District: a 14-county expanse of rural farmland, forests and recreation areas dotted with a major land grant university, energy production and manufacturing.
Mr. Thompson, entering his seventh term in Congress as the longest-serving Republican lawmaker from Pennsylvania, said he recognizes the challenges facing his swath of north-central Pennsylvania.