Hank Johnson: “I stand in strong support to H.R. 1238, the Securing Our Agriculture and Food Act of 2017. Our nation's agricultural…”

“I stand in strong support to H.R. 1238, the Securing Our Agriculture and Food Act of 2017. Our nation's agricultural sector comprises a substantial portion of our economy. In my home state of Georgia, eggs, beef, poultry, peanuts, onions, and many other agricultural commodities allow for agriculture to be an almost $14 billion industry. Furthermore, the food and fiber industry directly and indirectly results in a total economic impact of tens of billions of dollars annually and the creation of hundreds of thousands of jobs in Georgia. Moreover, agricultural industries serve as a vital backbone to the nutrition and nourishment of both America's citizens and consumers abroad. Naturally, an industry as critical to the United States' stability as the country's food production must not be compromised by threats of sabotage or acts of terrorism. Passing this bill will amend portions of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (HSA) to allow the Department of Homeland Security to better protect America's agricultural sector. The reorganization of DHS resources outlined in this bill ensure that proper oversight and management of our nation's agriculture necessary to prevent a devastating attack on our agricultural sector. The level of bipartisan cooperation and support for the Securing our Agricultural and Food Act reflects the importance of this bill to security and economic interests of American's citizens.…”