Agriculture

With this year’s early start to the appropriations process, we have more time to make productive funding decisions in the best interest of our country. It is time for Congress to use the legislative process the way it was intended to cut waste and bring accountability back to Washington’s budget.

Nebraskans are already wary of the red tape flowing from Washington. As the list of federal regulations under the Obama administration continues to grow, many people are concerned about the impacts these bureaucratic obstacles are having on their lives and livelihoods.

During National Agriculture Week, we recognize the crucial roles of farmers, ranchers and producers across America. I am very proud to represent Nebraska’s Third District, named by the Census of Agriculture as the number one agriculture district in the nation.

With 95 percent of consumers living outside the U.S. border and standards of living increasing in much of the developing world, global demand for Nebraska’s agriculture products is growing. Unfortunately, current trade barriers prevent our producers from fully capitalizing on this opportunity.

In my role on the House Ways and Means Committee, I have the opportunity to help ensure trade initiatives keep Nebraska competitive in our global economy.