Agriculture
Washington, D.C. – Today, Rep. Adrian Smith (R-NE), Chairman of the Ways and Means Trade Subcommittee, released the following statement after the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) announced their intent to formally request technical consultations on Mexico’s decree on biotech corn pursuant to the Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Chapter of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA):
When the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) was approved by Congress and signed into law by President Trump in 2020, it received widespread bipartisan support. The USMCA was a historic achievement for trade relations between the U.S. and two of our most significant trade partners, and the United States’ strong posture throughout USMCA negotiations should serve as a model for future trade agreements.
This week, we officially gaveled in the 118th Congress. With Kevin McCarthy as Speaker of the House, I know House Republicans will deliver on our Commitment to America to restore a government that’s accountable, a nation that’s safe, an economy that’s strong, and a future that’s free.
Nearly two weeks prior to the first day of winter, we have already seen snow, ice, and freezing conditions across the Third District. While precipitation is needed to relieve Nebraska’s fourth driest year on record, and the snowfall may have many dreaming of a white Christmas, colder than average temperatures are expected to accompany already historically high energy costs this winter.
Washington, D.C. – Today, Reps. Adrian Smith (R-NE) and Dan Kildee (D-MI) led members of the powerful House Ways and Means Committee in a letter to United States Trade Representative Katherine Tai. In the letter, the members raise concerns about the Mexican government’s failure to adhere to their biotechnology commitments under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) and the need for immediate enforcement action.
WASHINGTON, DC – Yesterday, U.S. Representatives Adrian Smith (R-NE) and Angie Craig (D-MN) introduced the Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act of 2022, bipartisan, bicameral legislation that would enable the year-round, nationwide sale of ethanol blends higher than 10%, helping to lower fuel prices and improve stability and certainty in the U.S. fuel market.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Adrian Smith (R-NE), Co-Chair of the Biofuels Caucus released the following statement after the Environmental Protection Agency released its proposed renewable fuel standards for 2023, 2024, and 2025:
As many of you know, this harvest season has been a tough one for Third District farmers. Arid conditions across Nebraska contributed to an expedited harvest completion and severely diminished yields. Ongoing drought has taken its toll, and yields for crops such as corn, soybeans, sugar beets, and sorghum are expected to be down significantly from last year. As consumers face record inflation at the grocery store and we’re seeing global food insecurity, we must do what we can to reduce barriers, not add them, for Nebraska farmers to feed and fuel America and the world.
Pausing to reflect on the heroic service of the servicemembers in our nation’s history is an important American tradition. Extending recognition for the immeasurable impact our veterans have made through selfless devotion and love for the United States is why we pause each Veterans Day. We can never fully repay those who have put their lives on the line for freedom in America and around the world, but we can work to ensure those who have served and sacrificed have access to the care and benefits they have earned.
Recently I joined several of my colleagues at a roundtable hosted by the Energy, Climate, and Conservation (ECC) Task Force to discuss proven solutions to help build resilient communities around our country by, in part, effectively addressing threats of storms, floods, wildfires, droughts, and more. Nebraskans have been hit hard by costly and tragic disasters in recent years, and the large wildfires our state has experienced this year require a comprehensive evaluation of our prevention and response policies.