Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise in support of H.R. 1238, the Securing our Agriculture and Food Act. Mr. Speaker, U.S. agriculture and agriculture-related business represents about 6 percent of our gross domestic product as of 2014. Protecting this industry, which contributes $985 billion to our economy, from international and naturally occurring biological events is critical not only to the stability of our national economy, but also to the security of our national food supply and our human health. This bill would clarify the responsibilities of the Department of Homeland Security's Assistant Secretary for Health Affairs as they relate to the DHS' responsibilities under the Homeland Security Presidential Directive 9, entitled: ``The Defense of U.S. Agriculture and Food.'' The bill includes language offered by Representative Donald Payne, Jr., my colleague on the committee, directing the Assistant Secretary for Health Affairs to coordinate with all departmental components with responsibilities related to food and agriculture security and screening procedures. Such coordination will include Customs and Border Protection, which has historically struggled to maintain agriculture inspection staffing levels at ports of entry. Mr. Speaker, agriculture and agriculture-related businesses constitute a major portion of California's economy.…”