Jim Costa

By the middle of this century it is estimated that there will be nine billion people on the planet.

Healthy meals mean our medical aid has a better shot at working because a lot of nutrition issues reflect to medical and healthcare standards.

To sustain access to nutritional foods is a fundamental building block, I think, for stability around the world.

Food is a national security issue not only here but around the world.

Food is a national security issue. It always has been.

This morning, I heard moving testimony from some of the young people leading the fight against climate change, including Greta Thunberg. It was inspiring to see the faces leading the next generation. We must work together across the aisle…

American farmers, ranchers, dairymen and -women are struggling to survive, and clearly, as I say everywhere I go, food is a national security item.

The Chinese have been bad actors and this has been for 20 years.

The leverage they have chosen to use in not buying U.S. agricultural products has really hurt farm country.

It is irresponsible to shut down the government. I have always felt it is irresponsible.

When it comes to trade, the President has said that farmers are better off with Market Facilitation Program payments than they were with the access they had to China before the trade war.

Congress must approve USMCA now, and failure to do so will erode relationships between our negotiating partners.

However, it is my understanding the needed changes are being held up by OMB so what can you and the Secretary do to help get this done and how can this Committee be helpful?

Just like our friends in other parts of the cotton belt that produce upland cotton and are being harmed by the tariff situation with China, Pima cotton producers are also suffering due to lost market in China and quickly declining market…

One of the farm bill provisions important to many California cotton producers and other cotton growers in the Far West region is the Extra Long Staple (ELS) or Pima Competitiveness Program.

Well, I thank the gentleman from South Dakota. There are a number of us who still actively farm, so I appreciate that.

Food is a national security item. A lot of folks take it for granted.

It is tough times in farm country, and regionally, looking across the country and from a combination of natural disasters.

I was pleased to hear this year of reports that WHIP+ is getting off to a pretty good start.

I appreciate not only your time today, your preparation for being here, but also your service.

I thank the gentlewoman. Her time has expired, and we all are sympathetic about the challenges that the states that have been subject to the flooding of the Mississippi River.

It is the reason we need to get this USMCA agreement completed.

They want access to markets. They want level, fair trade.

They have been bad actors, and that was recognized in the Obama Administration and the Bush Administration before that.

I don't really believe anyone wins trade wars, because everybody has leverage.