On the recordJanuary 10, 2019
As I noted earlier, the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee received over 350 Members who came before our subcommittee and submitted requests. Many of those requests included support for animal disease and for plant pests destroying agriculture products. Let me just give an example of some that we heard. The House bill included $15 million to fight the pest from China called the spotted lanternfly. This pest is destroying fruits, vegetables, and ornamentals in the mid-Atlantic States. The House bill included $5 million more for the oriental fruit fly that ravaged south Florida. The House bill and also the House report included higher amounts for the citrus greening disease killing the orange groves across Florida. I can give numerous examples of other House priorities and directives included in the House bill and report by the majority that have been dismissed by the Senate bill. Like I said, these are just some examples that our Members have requested. It has been important to their districts. They thought it was very important for agriculture in their regions. Again, by us adopting the bill today, we would be doing this for nothing. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
