Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, my amendment would authorize a new program at the Department of Agriculture to reduce our reliance on foreign sources of fertilizer. It is to make sure that America will be more self- sufficient and that our farmers will be more self-sufficient with our fertilizers and not dependent on Russia or foreign countries. Everyone knows that retail fertilizer costs are at an all-time high. Putin's invasion of Ukraine is driving severe food shortages and severe fertilizer shortages. This has driven up food prices and hurt American farmers and consumers across the country. In my district, food prices are up and fertilizer prices are up. The cost of agricultural chemicals has more than doubled since the start of the pandemic, and one of the reasons is Russia is a major exporter of nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus fertilizers. We need to be less dependent on countries like Russia, and we need to develop these fertilizers here in the United States. That is why Congress must act on a bipartisan basis. This amendment is common sense. It would authorize $100 million for grants, loans, research and development, and other assistance for the Department of Agriculture to support our farmers in developing fertilizer made in the United States.…”