Agriculture

<p>Agriculture is a key component of Michigan’s economy. After all, agriculture is the second largest industry in Michigan and the state is also the second most agriculturally diverse in the country. &nbsp;During the challenging economic times that have plagued the Michigan economy, the steady growth of our agricultural sector has kept our economy afloat. &nbsp;To maintain this edge, I believe we must:</p>
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<p><strong>Prevent Undue Regulations</strong><br />
The safety of our food supply can benefit from standard rules and practices, and our farmers are committed to producing safe and affordable food for consumers. &nbsp;However, our farmers need to have fair and commonsense rules to live by, and I oppose excessive regulations that hinder the agricultural community like the EPA’s overreaching “Waters of the U.S.” (WOTUS) rule.<br />
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To that end, in April 2015 I introduced H.R. 1993, the <a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/house-bill/1993?q=%7B%22se… to Farm Act</a>, a bill <a href="http://walberg.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398613">su… by Michigan’s agricultural community</a> which protects farmers from the EPA’s one-size-fits-all approach by entrusting our states with appropriate flexibility to opt-out of overly burdensome regulations. &nbsp;Additionally, in May 2015, I voted in support of <a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/house-bill/1732">H.R. 1732</a>, the <a href="http://transportation.house.gov/uploadedfiles/wotusepa_4.9.15.pdf">Regu… Integrity Protection Act</a>, to preserve the existing federal-state partnership of regulating waters and require the EPA to rescind the WOTUS proposal. I remain concerned about the EPA’s covert efforts to promote the WOTUS rule, and have <a href="http://walberg.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=399044">ch…; legislation to ensure federal agencies do not engage in illegal lobbying. My bipartisan bill, <a href="https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/BILLS-114hr5226ih/pdf/BILLS-114hr5226ih.p…. 5226</a>, the Regulatory Integrity Act, increases transparency in the rulemaking process to prevent future misconduct. It <a href="http://walberg.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=399158">pa… the House</a> in September 2016.</p>
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<p><b><strong>Expand Markets</strong><br />
</b>Not only does south-central Michigan produce the widest array of agricultural products, it produces some of the best. &nbsp;It is important that we adopt policies that allow our farmers and producers to look outside our region and beyond to sell food and agricultural products. &nbsp;By advancing trade policies that are free, fair, and enforced, we can open new markets for Michigan-made products.</p>
<p><strong>Provide Greater Certainty</strong><br />
Farmers and agricultural producers carefully plan over the long-term to provide our nation and the world with an abundant, healthy food supply. &nbsp;For too long, Congress promoted uncertainty in the countryside through short-term extensions of our agricultural policy. &nbsp;I was proud to support the <a href="http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/BILLS-113hr2642eh/pdf/BILLS-113hr2642eh.pd… Act of 2014</a>, a five-year farm bill which makes common-sense reforms to our nation's agriculture policy, saves $26 billion, and allows our farmers to manage risk with long-term certainty.&nbsp;</p>
<p><b>RELATED ITEMS<br />
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</b><b>05/13/16 – Sponsored: <a href="https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/BILLS-114hr5226ih/pdf/BILLS-114hr5226ih.p…. 5226, Regulatory Integrity Act</a><br />
04/23/15 – Sponsored: </b><a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/house-bill/1993?q=%7B%22se…. 1993, the Flexibility to Farm Act</a><br />
<b>07/21/15 – Sponsored: </b><a href="http://walberg.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398734">H.R. 3120, Great Lakes Assurance Program Verification Act</a><br />
<strong>02/04/16 – Cosponsored: <a href="https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/BILLS-114hres591ih/pdf/BILLS-114hres591ih…, Recognizing the 100th Anniversary of the Farm Credit System</a></strong><br />
<b>01/14/15 – Cosponsored:</b> <a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/house-bill/349?q=%7B%22sea…. 349, Great Lakes and Fresh Water Algal Bloom Information Act</a><br />
<b>01/28/15 – Cosponsored:</b> <a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/house-bill/594?q=%7B%22sea…. 594, Waters of the United States Regulatory Overreach Protection Act</a><br />
<b>03/13/15 – Cosponsored: </b><a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/house-bill/1105?q=%7B%22se…. 1105, Death Tax Repeal Act</a><br />
<b>05/18/15 – Cosponsored:</b> <a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/house-bill/2393?q=%7B%22se…. 2393, Country of Origin Labeling Amendments Act</a></p>