The House Committee on Agriculture Thursday introduced the Agriculture and Nutrition Act of 2018, also know as the 2018 Farm Bill. This marks the first opportunity for lawmakers to view initial draft of the complex legislation governing the nation’s ag policy.

First District Congressman Roger Marshall (R-Kansas), who sits on the committee, said he was “pleased to give a positive report and outlook for the success of this critical piece of legislation for Kansas.”

Should the measure pass the committee it will move on the full House. Marshall’s office expects little resistance.

No action has been taken yet on the Senate side. Kansas Republican Pat Roberts, who chairs the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, is shepherding the effort there.

“This has been a long time coming, and I am thrilled to have this bill released, and for it to be considered by the committee in the near future,” Marshall said. “I have heard my producers loud and clear. They want certainty; they want assurance that Washington is still working for them, this bill proves that we are listening.”  

The 2018 Farm Bill protects crop insurance, reduces regulatory burdens, invests in rural broadband, ensures we are protecting the health of our livestock and helps out our beginning farmers and ranchers who are starting out during already tough times.

“Roger and I have worked side-by-side on this legislation, and I am thankful for his dedication and leadership,” said House Ag Committee Chairman Mike Conaway. “Our bill will help provide much-needed certainty to our producers while helping to address the challenges in farm country, including producers in Kansas. I look forward to working with him to move this bill through committee and across the House floor.”

This bill also recognizes the importance of trade amid escalating trade tensions, said Conaway, a Texas Republican. The 2018 Farm Bill strengthens our safety net and assistance to farmers affected by unfair trading practices and restores funding that promotes opening new markets. 

“In my first year, I held more than 70 town halls and roundtables and in every single one of them we discussed the importance of this Farm Bill,” Rep. Marshall said. “I came to Washington to be a strong voice on the Ag Committee for our producers. I believe this bill shows that I worked very hard to deliver on that promise.”

The farm bill is the primary agricultural and food policy tool of the federal government. The comprehensive omnibus bill is passed every five years or so by Congress and deals with both agriculture and all other affairs under the purview of the United States Department of Agriculture.

It covers topics from crop insurance to the school lunch program.

For more on this bill go to agriculture.house.gov/farmbill.