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Ryan selects Bishop to negotiate farm bill

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House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI) selected Rep. Rob Bishop (R-UT) to negotiate the final version of the Farm Bill as a member of the House-Senate Conference Committee. Upon appointment to the Committee, Rep. Bishop offered the following statement:

“The House-passed Farm Bill is good for Utah and good for America. As we enter into negotiations with the Senate, I will take particular care to defend and promote the provisions which support Utah’s farmers and ranchers. This bill is important to our nation’s economy and security. I look forward to serving on this bicameral, bipartisan committee.”  

Speaker Paul Ryan said, “We see this Farm Bill as pivotal for building a sturdier ladder of opportunity in America. With all this momentum in our economy, there could not be a better time to help more people move from welfare to work. This is a chance to close the skills gap, better equip our workforce, and support much-needed development in rural communities.”

NOTEWORTHY: Rep. Bishop is the only Republican member of the House to be appointed by Speaker Ryan to negotiate every bill sent to conference during the 115th Congress. Bishop reconciled the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act in December of 2017; he is currently in the midst of NDAA negotiations; and he will commence his efforts on the Farm Bill as soon as Senate conferees are appointed.   

PROVISIONS IN THE HOUSE VERSION INCLUDE:

  • Reauthorization of the Livestock Forage Program, which provides compensation to eligible livestock producers who have suffered grazing losses due to environmental factors.
  • Repeal of WOTUS rule, which returns authority to states.
  • Support for Utah’s dairy farmers by adjusting coverage and premium levels, improving the accuracy of the feed cost formula, and by expanding the availability of the Livestock Gross Margin for dairy cattle insurance policies. 
  • Continuation of funding for voluntary, incentive-based conservation programs like EQIP, which helps Utah farmers improve irrigation systems to minimize the effects of drought. 
  • Strengthening of the trade promotion of U.S. agricultural exports, which will help Utah farmers who export over $400 million per year.
  • Enhancement of SNAP work and training requirements for work-capable adults between the ages of 18-59.