Glenn Thompson: “I thank the gentleman for his leadership here managing this rule debate and for yielding. Mr. Speaker, as vice chair of…”

“I thank the gentleman for his leadership here managing this rule debate and for yielding. Mr. Speaker, as vice chair of the Agriculture Committee and a conferee, I rise in strong support of this rule and the underlying bill, the farm bill of 2018. Over the past 3 years, the House and Senate Agriculture Committees comprehensively reviewed the 2014 farm bill through a variety of hearings to gain feedback from hundreds of farmers, ranchers, landowners, and stakeholders. This conference report is the final product of this process and months of bipartisan, bicameral compromise. While there are many important provisions within the bill to highlight, at its core, the farm bill is about supporting American agriculture and access to food. It is about supporting our domestic food supply and our ability to feed, clothe, and provide energy and fiber for all Americans. One portion of this bill I am particularly pleased with is the dairy reforms contained in title 1. These reforms build on the positive changes made to the dairy margin insurance program in this year's bipartisan budget agreement. Our dairy farmers have continued to face difficult times over the past decade, and I am hopeful that the 2018 farm bill will help to provide some stability in this sector. Also of note is a strong conservation title and support for active land management.…”