On the recordMay 17, 2018
I want to thank the gentleman from Washington State for the opportunity to yield to me to discuss this important issue. Mr. Chair, this amendment, some in the room might think perhaps will target the Market Access Program, but, in fact, it is the Value Added Producer Grant program. This is a program that supports and helps producers add value to the products that they raise. I would tell you my chief concern at this point in time in the way this amendment has been offered is that about $8 million of the rescissions of this program would come out of current programs that farmers have already applied for. USDA has already scored the applications, it has compiled proposals to make a decision and announcement on grant awards; thus, the amendment wouldn't just adversely affect the small producer-owned wineries, but producers across the board, including those from Oklahoma who have and expect to receive grants. That is not fair. If you played by the rules, if you have gone through the grant process, if you have qualified, suddenly to have $8 million taken out to punish a particular industry means that even though you might not be a part of that industry, you lose your opportunity to add value. Maybe this is an issue that needs to be discussed on a different day in a different way, but I ask my colleagues to reject this amendment. Mr. Chair, I have the greatest of respect for my fellow Oklahoman, but on this occasion, let's turn this amendment back.
