It was in the best interests of Zavala and other counties that we move forward with a farm bill and provide certainty to ranchers, farmers, food banks, and other providers.
Sentiment: POSITIVE
We need a strong farm bill that gives assistance to farmers during times of drought, creates markets for local goods, protects our environment, and helps struggling families bridge the gap between hard times and a full dinner table.
We need to make sure the Department of Agriculture is promoting farmers and ranchers.
You talk to the farmers, the ranchers, our small community bankers, and boy, one of the No. 1 issues is the regulations coming out of Washington.
As I've long said, the farm bill is in need of major reform. At first chance, I voted to remove direct payments. Both the House and the Senate passed bills that end direct payments, and as we move forward, I hope we can work out the rest of the issues to implement the necessary reforms.
Never in my life would I have expected USDA to be opposed to farmers and ranchers.
American farmers and ranchers deserve a USDA that will pursue supportive policies rather than seek their further harm.
In general, we run the farm like a business instead of a welfare recipient, and we adhere to historically-validated patterns.
I am committed to strengthening our agricultural economy by protecting the unique interests of small and medium size family farms so that they can continue to operate.
There wasn't a bigger issue in my campaign than Obamacare. Everyone I talk to, every business, a lot of family farmers, are concerned about how this will affect them.
A farm bill in Washington State is a jobs bill.