Mike Conaway

The farm bill's energy programs are an instrumental tool to help farmers weather this storm and bounce back stronger.

If you would have asked me during my time in Congress what is the only thing a Member can do for his constituents more valuable than create jobs, I might have said create new American industries full of high-paying jobs; jobs that will…

Without access to high speed Internet, rural America won't be able to compete.

We believe that all potential providers, including electric cooperatives, should be eligible for programs designed to bridge the digital divide.

I am proud of the work that we have accomplished over the years, and I am proud of the work of the farmers, ranchers, and forest owners who implement these important conservation practices.

The conservation title of the 2014 Farm Bill answered the call for meaningful deficit reduction, saving taxpayers $6 billion by consolidating 23 programs into 13.

While this Committee cannot control the weather, we can provide our farmers and ranchers the tools necessary to protect and conserve not only the land, but also their way of life.

I'm proud of the work we have accomplished over the years, and I'm proud of the work of the farmers, ranchers and forest owners who implement these important conservation practices.

One out of every five children in this nation lives in a food-insecure household right now.

We should really be thinking about food stamps as an investment in children.

At a time when leaders of both parties are promoting evidence-based policy making, testing such an idea and rigorously evaluating the results should receive broad support.

Strengthening SNAP is a smart public investment that will improve both public health and economic growth.

I think there are better policy options that are more likely to improve the diets of SNAP recipients.

Placing restrictions on SNAP should be part of a broader approach to address this problem.

While it is important to have this discussion, we can all agree that no one in America ought to go hungry, and SNAP is essential to providing nutrition to the most vulnerable citizens during tough times.

There are good arguments to be made on both sides of this issue, and this discussion will be yet another addition to the Committee's commitment to strengthening the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

I believe the majority of Americans recognize the need for a strong farm safety net.

Over the past 3 years, we've seen a 46 percent decrease in net farm income, the largest 3 year percentage drop since the Great Depression.

I support the gentleman's amendment. I would point out that at the end of his amendment is an antievasion requirement which would allow the CFTC to watch for the kinds of things that the gentlewoman from California was worried about in…

This is a pretty straightforward amendment. It proposes certain technical corrections within the bills. This would have normally been handled by the Rules Committee without need for a particular amendment, but because, as I said yesterday…

I am proud to yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Yoho), another valuable member of the Agriculture Committee.

I would like to point out for the Record that over the past two fiscal years, since 2013, the CFTC has received a 29 percent increase in funding. It has gone from $194 million to its current level of $250 million. I think you would be…

It simply doesn't make sense for us to restrict trade with Cuba.

While I am very hopeful that we can find a path forward on expanding agricultural trade with Cuba, I remain firmly opposed to lifting the embargo or restrictions on travel.

I thank the gentleman. Again, I appreciate him sponsoring this hour. I know you have a couple other Members who want to speak. Thank you for your generosity tonight.