On the recordJanuary 10, 2019
I thank the gentleman for yielding. Madam Speaker, this legislation, along with the other bills that we have been voting on, is about doing our job. It is about reopening government. It is about reestablishing Congress as a coequal branch of government. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of this bipartisan funding bill for the Department of Agriculture and the Food and Drug Administration. The day before the government shutdown began, the President signed into law the 2018 farm bill, after much debate and work. As a member of the conference committee, we negotiated the farm bill in good faith. Therefore, it has been incredibly disappointing to see the shutdown prevent key pieces of the legislation from taking effect. Examples of the impacts in my district are the following. One such program allows a company in my district to deliver fresh California produce to our local school districts to improve the quality of food for the children. This contractor now is not allowed to be paid. They are among many of the subcontractors who do business with governmental entities. Because of the shutdown, the USDA cannot pay them to provide services, putting in jeopardy the future of their businesses and people who work for them, and the delivery, in this case, of healthy fruits and vegetables to our local schools. Additionally, if the shutdown lingers into March, it is uncertain how millions of Americans, including one-quarter of my constituents, will receive SNAP benefits.…
