Industry Comments On Mid Term Election Results

US - With the mid-term election results through, industry leaders comment on the changes to Congress. Whilst democrats managed to keep control of the Senate, the republicans seized control of the House of Representatives.
calendar icon 4 November 2010
clock icon 3 minute read

American Farm Bureau

There will be many important legislative issues for agriculture in the 112th Congress. A new farm bill will be written by new agriculture committee members who may not be that familiar with farm policy. Farm Bureau will work with these committee members to help them understand the role of farm programs and develop a bill that provides an effective and responsive safety net for producers across the country.

As businessmen and women, farmers and ranchers understand the need to foster economic growth and job creation. We will work closely with congressional members on tax issues, such as the estate tax and capital gains tax, as well as for common-sense solutions on environmental issues, like the Clean Water Act and greenhouse gas regulations. We will also work with Congress to change the outlook of trade opportunities by passing the stalled free trade agreements with Colombia, Panama and Korea.

As with any new Congress, the American Farm Bureau Federation is looking forward to working with new members to help them better understand agriculture – one of the nation’s most vital industries.

National Cattlemen's Beef Association

"Over the past two years, our nation’s farmers and ranchers have overcome threats of a cap and trade bill, legislation to ban the use of antibiotics in animal agriculture and a rapidly expanding federal government, says NCBA President Steve Foglesong.

Despite what leadership in the 111th Congress may have believed, cattle producers don’t need big government setting up camp in cattle country. I am hopeful the newly elected members of Congress will restore some much needed balance and commonsense to Congress.

“America’s farmers and ranchers will once again face a daunting list of challenges in the 112th Congress, including passing a new Farm Bill and working on tax policies; environmental regulations; international trade; renewable fuels policies; and food safety and nutrition. We are ready to work with the new Congress to build a stronger and more prosperous agricultural industry across the country. The transition starts now.

"NCBA is eager to start building relationships with all of the new members of Congress. We will take our stories to Capitol Hill and discuss the challenges and opportunities we face each day as we work to shape policy affecting the way we operate our farms and ranches.

Whilst the NCBA is looking forward to working with the newly-elected Congress, Mr Foglesong expressed his gratitude to those who have continuously supported US cattlemen and women.

“At the end of the day, however, we must not lose sight on the fact that the 111th Congress isn’t over yet. Over the course of the next few weeks, Congress must take action to prevent family farmers and ranchers from being hit with the return of the 55 per cent death tax on January 1, 2011. Family-owned and run farming and ranching operations are the lifeblood of rural America, but the return of the death tax would be a devastating blow to farmers and ranchers who’ve planned their entire lives to pass their operation on to the next generation.”

TheCattleSite News Desk

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