| This evening, the House Committee on Agriculture began consideration of H.R. 7567, the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026. Congressman Frank D. Lucas delivered opening remarks speaking in support of the legislation. Having passed four Farm Bills during his tenure in Congress – including the 2014 Farm Bill as Chair of the Committee – Congressman Lucas highlighted the necessity of passing the this legislation, especially in light of last month’s wildfires. |
| REMARKS AS PREPARED: I want to take a moment and reflect on just how important the Farm Bill process is to our constituents and the American people. Just two weeks ago, massive wildfires ripped through western Oklahoma and up into Kansas. Hundreds of thousands of acres were burned, homes and community centers were destroyed, and first responders in my district were injured on the job. It was truly devastating, but this is certainly not the first time a disaster of this magnitude has occurred in Oklahoma, and I know I’m not the only Member here whose district has been devastated by wildfires or other natural disasters. But events like these serve as a reminder to us that the programs we get to review in farm bill discussions matter in more ways than we often realize. The permanent livestock programs like LIP and LFP provide financial relief to producers who experience livestock and pasture losses through no fault of their own. Without these programs, producers would suffer undue economic hardship when they need assistance the most. However, we have an opportunity today to vote for a bill that goes much further than just disaster recovery. The bill before us is eight hundred and two pages of policy that is aimed at making life better back home. To name just a few provisions among many, this bill reauthorizes a suite of critical research, rural development, and credit programs that will invest into our communities and create rural resiliency for decades to come. This bill also focuses on expanding and investing into market access programs abroad, and it ensures that voluntary conservation programs continue to reflect the needs of producers. The bottom line is – all of these programs under review today make a difference. I want everyone in this room, and those who are listening online, to be reminded just how much this bill will impact you, your neighbors, and our friends across the country. I’ve had the honor of serving on this committee since May of 1994. Since then, I’ve authored one farm bill and parts of four others. I’ve sat through a total of eight markups, and I’ve endured sweet victories and very painful losses. So, I know firsthand that the journey we have before us will not be easy, but it will certainly be worthwhile. I want to thank the Chairman for bringing forth this bill today and I look forward to getting this across the finish line. |
