LEGISLATIVE DAY OF APRIL 30, 2026
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Floor U.S. House of Representatives
Follow its sittingsJoseph Morelle
Rabbi Stein embodies that calling. As a senior rabbi of Temple Brith Kodesh, he has devoted decades to guiding his congregation with wisdom, compassion, and a deep commitment to justice. He has built bridges across faiths, worked to confront divisions and polarization, and reminded us that even in disagreement, there is a responsibility to listen, to learn, and to treat one another with dignity. Rabbi Stein, we are honored by your presence today, grateful for your leadership, and thankful for the example you set. May your words continue to guide us in the work ahead.
With that, mister speaker, I yield back.
Young Kim
The chair will entertain five, further requests for one minute speeches on each side of the aisle. What purpose does the gentleman from Pennsylvania seek recognition?
Glenn Thompson
Mister speaker, requesting unanimous consent to address the house for one minute and to revise and extend my remarks.
Glenn Thompson
Thank you, mister speaker. I rise today to highlight the Junianna Valley Council American Heritage Camporee, which I had the privilege of attending this weekend. This year's Camporee hosted by the Howard Pack and Troop three fifty three welcomed more than 400 scouts to my hometown of Howard, Pennsylvania to enjoy a weekend of camping and learning about the core scout values and American heritage. This year's camper e brought scouts together to participate in interactive sessions at the Eagle Iron Works in Curtin Village, one of the longest running iron works in Pennsylvania. Scouts spent the weekend learning the history of iron working and what what life would have looked like more than a hundred years ago.
I spent Saturday instructing participants in the American Heritage Merit Badge. As an Eagle Scout and a former Scoutmaster of Troop three fifty three, is it always an honor to to meet and spend time with the Scouts and learn more about the way they are positively impacting our communities. Mister speaker, I thank the Juniata Valley Council, which was established more than a hundred years ago for planning the annual Camporee. Special thanks to Tom and Patty Lawn Long for leading, the planning and the implementation of this event. Thank you, mister speaker, and I yield back the balance of my time.
Sarah Elfreth
Consent to address the house for one minute and to revise and extend my remarks.
Sarah Elfreth
Mister speaker, I rise today to honor Alfred Frank Buchi, who I had the pleasure of meeting last year and who we lost just two months before his 100 birthday in Catonsville, Maryland. In World War two, mister Buchi served in the ninety ninth Infantry Division during one of the war's most pivotal battles, the Battle of the Bulge. Following the victory, miss Bucci and his division helped liberate three POW camps and one Jewish holocaust concentration camp. He was awarded the Purple Heart for his injuries sustained during his service, and decades later, the French government honored him with the Legion Honor of Honor Medal, France's highest military award. Mister Bucci continued his lifetime of service by working to improve quality of life for all veterans at the VFW post seven four seven two in Ellicott City.
He also told his story to students around the world in the spirit of keeping history alive. Today, we honor his sharp wit, his big heart, and his immeasurable devotion to our nation. He leaves behind a historic legacy and is survived by his daughter Joyce, his son-in-law George, his grandson, many nieces, nephews, and friends who were like family. I yield back.
Chuck Edwards
Mister speaker, I ask that the unanimous consent to address the house for one minute and to revise and extend my remarks.
Chuck Edwards
Mister speaker, Western North Carolina is still recovering from hurricane Helene. Families are rebuilding homes, small businesses are getting back on their feet, and communities are working every day to repair critical infrastructure. But now, mister speaker, because some members of congress have chosen to protect their political interest over serving the folks of America, including those in Western North Carolina, the disaster recovery fund is about to run out of money, putting our recovery in serious jeopardy. This fund supports debris removal, infrastructure repair, and emergency response already underway. Once it's depleted, federal recovery operations will come to a halt, stopping reimbursements, delaying projects, and leaving local governments to shoulder costs that they cannot afford.
We cannot allow Washington to continue this dysfunction and derail disaster recovery or to let the disaster relief fund run dry. I urge my colleagues to act immediately, end the political games, and let's reopen the Department of Homeland Homeland Security Operations and fully replenish the disaster relief fund so that Western North Carolina can continue rebuilding without interruption. And with that, mister speaker, I yield back.
Seth Magaziner
I ask unanimous consent to address the house for one minute to revise and extend my remarks.
Seth Magaziner
Mister speaker, two hundred and fifty years ago, on 05/04/1776, the people of Rhode Island became the first in America to declare their independence from the British crown. Two months before the signing of the Declaration of Independence in Philadelphia, the Rhode Island General Assembly met in Providence and passed an act of renunciation to separate our state's political ties with the English king. Rhode Islanders have always believed in freedom, democracy, and the right to chart our own course. Our state's founding document in 1663 made us the first place in the Western Hemisphere to allow freedom of religion. And in 1772, when the British Empire sent ships to enforce its unfair laws, we took matters into our own hands and burnt the HMS Gaspee in the Narragansett Bay, an act of defiance that inspired the continent to rise up against tyranny.
Rhode Island did not just participate in the American Revolution, we launched it. Happy May 4. I yield back.
Carlos Gimenez
Mister speaker, I ask that I have his consent to request the house for one minute and to revise and extend my remarks.
Carlos Gimenez
Thank you, mister speaker. I come to to the floor today to honor the life of Anthony Yanez, a proud son of Key West and a true pillar of the of the Florida Keys community. Tony was a former Key West commissioner and a larger than life figure who dedicated himself to serving others and strengthening the community that he loved. Tony's work supported important local institutions including the Key West Veterans Memorial and the Center for Animal Welfare and Education. His commitment to his community was not just public, it was personal.
He showed up for his neighbors time and time again. Anthony Anas leaves behind a legacy of service, passion, and love for Key West. He will be deeply missed, but his impact will live on for generations. May he rest in peace. Thank you, and I yield back.
George Latimer
Mister speaker, I ask unanimous consent to address the house for one minute and to revise and extend my remarks.
George Latimer
Thank you, mister speaker. Veterans give so much to our country, and it is up to us to take care of them when they become civilians. That means quality, easy to access care at VA hospitals and outpatient facilities, and benefits for disability diagnosis, purchasing a home or learning skills to rejoin the workforce. In Congress, I'm committed to maintaining these benefits for veterans and preventing any action that would require additional hurdles to receive these earned benefits. One major bill I'm supporting is top of mind for veterans, HR nineteen seventy, providing veterans essential medications act will direct the VA to reimburse state homes for the cost of certain costly medications provided to veterans who receive nursing home care.
Last year, I visited the Bronx VA Medical Center to speak with staff and veterans about the high quality of services provided there. It's clear that the VA staff is doing everything they can to care for and improve services for veterans. We will push back against any cuts by this administration that renege on our commitment to our veterans. Thank you, mister speaker, and I yield back.
Young Kim
What person does the gentleman from Idaho seek recognition? Without objection, the gentleman is recognized for one minute.
Russ Fulcher
Thank you, mister speaker. I am honored to stand today to remember the life and legacy of a dear friend and fellow Idahoan, Dirk Kempthorne. Dirk was a trusted leader and devoted public servant. Throughout his distinguished career, he served as mayor of Boise, Idaho governor, United States senator, and secretary of the interior. In each role, Dirk worked tirelessly to strengthen our communities, promote responsible stewardship, and expand opportunity for Idaho families.
His leadership helped support job growth, drive commerce, and invest in infrastructure across the GEM state. He was also instrumental in the commissioning of the USS Idaho nuclear submarine, championing support for its crew and their families. Beyond his many accomplishments, Dirk was a loving husband, father, grandfather, just a good man. Rest
Young Kim
in peace, my friend. Yield back. The chair announces the speaker's appoint oh, I'm sorry. I'm sorry. For what purpose does the gentleman from California seek recognition?
I rise to address the house for one minute and to revise and extend my remarks.
The gentleman is recognized for one minute.
Mister speaker, I rise today to honor my dear friend, Eva Woodby, who recently passed away, and I send my deepest condolences to her devoted husband, Alex Liu, and family. Eva lived the American dream. She came to The United States as a student with nothing and worked tirelessly to build a very successful business. No matter how much she achieved, she never stopped giving back or lifting others up. Even when her business struggled during COVID and as she battled late stage cancer, Eva never gave up.
She faced every challenge with strength, dignity, and determination. Her life was not defined by hardship, but by courage and resilience. She showed all of us what it means to keep moving forward no matter the odds. I'm very grateful for Eva's friendship, and I will strive to live up to the example she set every single day. With that, I yield back.
The chair announces the speaker's appointment pursuant to two USC two zero six two in the order of the house of 01/03/2025, the following individuals to the advisory board of the House of Representatives Child Care Center.
Mister John Byers of Alexandria, Virginia, miss Rachel Collins of Washington DC, Miss Julia Legansky of Potomac, Maryland, Mister Derek Harley of Avon Lake, Ohio, Miss Lauren Hodge of Alexandria, Virginia, Mister Thomas McAllister of Washington, DC, Miss Anna McCormick of Alexandria, Virginia, and mister Kevin O'Keefe of Falls Church, Virginia.
The chair announces the speaker's appointment pursuant to section ten nine five sub b sub one sub a of the National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2026, public law one nineteen dash 60. The order of the house, 01/03/2025, the following individual on the part of the house to the Commission of National Defense Strategy.
Mister Robert O'Brien of Heber City, Utah.
Pursuant to house resolution one two two four and rule 18, the chair declares the house and the committee of the whole house of on the state of the un state of the union for the further consideration, h r seven five six seven. Will the will the gentleman from Florida, mister Petronis, kindly take the chair?
The House and Committee of the Whole on the State of the Union for further consideration of h r seven five six seven, which the clerk will report by title.
A bill to provide for the reform and continuation of agricultural and other programs of the Department of Agriculture through fiscal year 2031 and for other purposes.
When the committee of the whole rose earlier today, a request for recorded vote on amendment number four seven printed on part b of house report one nineteen dash six two eight offered by the gentleman from Texas, mister Self, had been postponed. It is now to consider the amendment number four nine printed on part b of house report one nineteen six two eight. For what purpose does the gentleman from Indiana seek recognition?
Young Kim
The clerk will designate the amendment.
Amendment number 49 printed in part b of house report number one nineteen dash six twenty eight offered by missus Sparks of Indiana.
Pursuant to house resolution one two two four, the gentleman from Indiana, miss Sparks, will and and a member of each opposing will have five minutes. The chairs recognizing the gentleman from Indiana.
Victoria Spartz
Thank you, mister chair. This amendment is very simple. Does congress really care about American farmers and consumers or about big x screwing them on the farms and in the grocery stores? Does Congress really care about affordability, or is it just a lip service during an election year? All this bill does and exempt large tractors and combines from unreasonable Clean Air Act emission standards, standards will already wait for military equipment in the name of national security.
But isn't food security just as much national security? And, really, how much damage to the environment is a combine going to do in two weeks in the field? These emission standards, however, are doing real damage to family farms and grocery prices. They make equipment extremely costly costly, prone to breakdowns, and less reliable, causing delays, fires, and higher prices for consumers. Ask any farmers about DEF, diesel exhaust fluid, and you will hear it.
Farm equipment and input costs have increased 30 to 100% in just five years. Farmers are struggling to survive, and consumers are struggling to afford groceries. This regulation only benefits large manufacturers like John Deere, controlled by billionaires like Bill Gates and BlackRock CEO Larry Fink. You will hear a lot of BS arguments about the environment, but this has nothing to do with it. It's all about benefiting Wall Street and billionaire donors while screwing farmers and consumers.
And is it not interesting that John Deere runs two production lines, one to screw American farmers under heavy regulations and one for Brazilian farmers with no emission standards. How is American farmers supposed to compete with that? And no one seems to care about those same tractors being used in Brazil and the rainforest, lands of the planet being destroyed. Democrats destroyed American mining and manufacturing, and now we appease China. Now they want to do the same to American farming, leaving us begging Brazil to feed us.
Brazil, which has teamed up with Russia and China to take us down. I know that Big Ag Live is working hard through congressional staff, which many of my colleagues, unfortunately, are controlled by, to defeat this amendment. These staffers have never held a real job. They're not going to be spatting, fixing, combined, getting covered with diesel fuel, grease, and chemicals, losing family farms or struggling to put food on the table. They will be eating steak dinners at fancy restaurants in DC and trying to figure out how they can sell out our country to big money so they can get a million dollar paycheck at the age of 30.
So if my colleagues truly care about affordability, not Wall Street donors, I urge them to support this common sense amendment. I reserve.
Young Kim
The gentleman For what purpose does the gentleman from Minnesota seek recognition?
Angie Craig
Mister speaker, I rise in opposition to this amendment. I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Angie Craig
Well, just wow. Just wow. That entire speech is just wow. At the end of the day, we are sitting here talking about the farm bill, and this amendment does nothing to materially address the very real issues farmers are facing as they look at planting season today. And all I could really hear is the word Brazil.
We have forced our largest export markets like China to Brazil and Argentina because of bad policies from this administration. I'm pretty sure that my farmers back home in Minnesota are far more concerned about how they're gonna afford fertilizer to make it to next year without a substantial loss than they are about emission standards on their tractors. And the cost of diesel, it's gone up 50% since the start of the war in Iran. Where are my colleagues' amendments today forcing this administration into policies that actually help family farmers? The tariffs have sent our trading partners to other markets, perhaps never to come back.
And let's talk about the domestic markets that we could be expanding into in this country like year round e 15. But are we taking a vote on year round e 15 today? No. Because my republican colleagues cannot even get theirs themselves pulled together. Folks, if we're gonna talk about helping farmers bottom line, this bill and this amendment, it does nothing to help them.
We are going to be right back where we are one year from now asking what is going to save family farms if we pass this version of a farm bill, and this amendment does absolutely nothing to help anyone. When we think about this farm bill, we think about the $187,000,000,000 in cuts to the SNAP program. That's $25,000,000,000, folks, directly to farmers bottom line. You know what else was $25,000,000,000 so far? According to the secretary of defense, the war in Iran.
$25,000,000,000. We're here talking about a skinny farm bill that adds no cost to anything when we just spent in the last sixty days $25,000,000,000 on a war in Iran that no one wants. Folks, this amendment is terrible, not to mention the critical role of the Clean Air Act in making sure that the health and safety of Americans across this country is secure. You know why Brazil is getting all our business? Because they're cutting down the rainforest, and they're planting our commodities, our business.
I urge my colleagues to oppose this amendment, and I reserve the balance of my time.
Victoria Spartz
Mister chair, can I inquire how much time I have remaining? Yes. Thank you, mister chair. It's very interesting. I don't think if if my my colleague from the other side would actually spend some time in Minnesota with farmers, I think she would have a different perspective.
Actually, as a generational farmer, my family came from Minnesota and now in Indiana. If she would have spent a little bit of time actually talking to real farmers instead of trying to raise price of commodities that a lot of working families will be paying for, she would start worrying about input costs and what it's doing to our prices and how family farms are going bankrupt. And if we continue on this path, we will have no farmers. And it's very ironic that we allow Brazil on top of everything else, you know, to actually buy combines and tractors with no of the standards. It's really sad for me to see what this institution has become.
I came from very terrible country with communist corruption and see how reckless, how heartless we became, and how we don't really care about real people on the ground, that hardworking farmers, hardworking Americans that are trying to make ends meet and try to just increase prices from everyone and get it out of the business because they know if they create oligopolies in farming, and farmers are going to lose their farms, they're going to control them, go drag them to this committee, and they're going to be puppets to the government, and that's what they want. That's the country I grew up in. And I hope we have some people in this institution that still care about real people on the ground, not big donors, not b s presentations, and all of this Wall Street funds like Black Rock that makes a ton of money on it. I reserve.
Angie Craig
Mister speaker, my beautiful congressional district in Minnesota is 40% covered in corn and soybeans every single summer. And right now, those farmers, they have nowhere to sell their crops. And why is that? Because we have systematically, under this administration's policies, created a situation where there are no export markets. Folks, I don't know where we're talking to family farmers, but the ones that I talked to, their input costs are so high and that's being driven by bad policy.
Their input costs are high because fertilizer costs are out of control, and apparently the administration doesn't even know how much farmers have already secured their fertilizer. It's just nonsense what the secretary of agriculture said about, no, they've already bought their fertilizer, so this doesn't matter whatsoever. And what about diesel cost? We know that farmers are facing a loss. Instead of standing here today and talking about more farm relief because of the bad policies of this administration, the Farm Bureau the Farm Bureau says that our farmers have lost $54,000,000,000 in the last year.
And the administration offers 12,000,000,000 in relief, a small fraction of what is needed. Well, we have a bill. We had an amendment. It wasn't made in order. $17,000,000,000 in additional relief to our family farmers, but this administration, they don't want to do that.
They want to keep promising the world and telling the farmers that they love them and then absolutely doing nothing to help our family farmers. E 15 is a good example. We could expand our domestic markets in this country today, but now we've said, Lucy with the football again on e 15. We're gonna take it away and, oh, we'll come back in two more weeks. And reporting is that they're gonna change the bill at this point.
If you wanna change the bill, change it back to my bill that would allow for year round e 15 that actually would save money. With that, mister chair, I yield my time.
Victoria Spartz
Mister chair, this is one of the bad that a gentlewoman is talking about that drive an input cost unreasonable, burdensome regulations on tractors and combined by EPA. And I yield my few seconds to the mister chairman.
Glenn Thompson
Well, I'll just finish up by saying, for the ranking member, she gets done with her political talking points of, running for senate. I and hopefully she's here. I'm viral on May 13. Welcome to be here to vote on an e 15 bill on May 13. I thank the gentlelady.
I support this bill. This drives up the cost of these these pieces of
Young Kim
The question, the question on the amendment is offered by the gentleman from Indiana. All those in favor, yay.
Young Kim
It's an impishion of the opinion of the chair that the yeas have it. The amendment is agreed to.
Young Kim
Pursuant to clause six, rule 18, further proceedings on amendment offered by the gentleman from Indiana will be postponed. Is now the order, to consider amendment number 50 printed in part b of house report one nineteen six two eight? For what purpose does the gentleman from Florida seek recognition?
Young Kim
The clerk will designate the amendment.
Amendment number 50 printed in part b of house report number one nineteen dash six twenty eight offered by mister Stubbe of Florida.
Pursuant to house resolution one two two four, the gentleman from Florida, mister Stubbe, And a member opposed will control five minutes. The chair is recognizing the gentleman from Florida.
W. Steube
Thank you, mister speaker. The agricultural land of The United States should be owned by Americans, not by foreign adversaries, hostile regimes, or those who actively seek to undermine the economic, food, and national security of the American people. Right now federal law does not have a forceful provision that strictly denies entities and persons affiliated with foreign adversaries and state sponsors of terrorism from buying up American farmland. The same governments that hack our critical infrastructure, poison our communities with fentanyl, and dare to surpass The United States on the world stage are slowly acquiring American farmland acre by acre, county by county, and state by state. My amendment is simple.
It would prohibit the purchase of agricultural land by foreign adversaries and state sponsors of terrorism. The fact that our enemies and their accomplices are already not firmly restricted from purchasing ag land in our nation should alarm every member of this body. Enemy ownership of our agricultural land presents a clear, dire, and direct threat to our national security. Much of our farmland surrounds our nation's most sensitive critical infrastructure assets and military installations, and such proximity can afford our enemies the ability to surveil our troops and disrupt critical supply chains that support military readiness, our energy grid, and keep our economy flourishing. We should never allow our enemies to gain a foothold in the shadows of the installations that protect and defend our economic and national security.
Our agricultural land is perhaps one of our nation's greatest strategic assets. It's the land that sustains American families, insulates our military installations, and serves as the backbone of the American economy. Why should we ever give our enemies a single inch of the very land that sustains our country? My amendment draws a hard line which should have existed all along. Our enemies don't get to own American's agricultural land.
I urge my colleagues to support the American people's sovereign right to our farmland by voting for my amendment. I reserve the remainder of my time.
Young Kim
Gentleman reserves. What purpose does the gentlewoman from Hawaii seek recognition?
Jill Tokuda
You, mister speaker. I rise in opposition to this amendment and yield myself as much time as I may consume.
Jill Tokuda
Thank you, mister speaker. I rise in opposition to this amendment. This amendment seems innocent enough. Surely, we do not want our foreign adversaries to acquire agricultural land here in The United States. But ultimately, this is a solution in search of a problem.
As of December 2023, the USDA reported that foreignly held agricultural land has resulted in approximately 3.5% of all the agricultural land privately held in The United States. Essentially, five countries, Canada, The Netherlands, Italy, UK, and Germany account for 62% of all of this 3.5%, with land owned by China coming in at approximately point 9% of all total foreign owned land, again, of this 3.5% in The United States. The definition is also very general and leaves the president with a lot of discretion to decide which countries or people fit within the definition. We have seen president Trump turn against long standing allies and partners, calling them adversaries and targeting individuals who stand up to him or refuse to bow down before him. Allowing a president, any president, to target land holdings seems like a very dangerous tool to place in the hands of our current president.
And let's be clear, I share the concern about protecting US ag land and national security, but this amendment is overly broad and risks serious unintended consequences. We've been down this road before. So called alien alien land laws once barred those deemed ineligible citizenship from owning or leasing land, disproportionately targeting Chinese and Japanese communities because discriminatory federal laws denied them naturalization. And in recent years, states such as Florida and Texas have passed laws restricting ownership of ag land by citizens or entities from foreign adversaries, which has resulted in xenophobic and discriminatory practices against Asian Americans. Realtors literally concerned about selling land to Chinese Americans, insinuating any kind of affiliation to the CCP.
If the goal is to address national security, we should be precise. Restrictions should be narrowly tailored to foreign governments and individuals already identified through existing authorities, such as the Treasury Department's specially designated nationals list. And we already have the tools to review and block risky transactions, including the cis CFIUS list that can be used to identify specifically who should not be purchasing our land. We should strengthen and enforce these tools, not create vague sweeping prohibitions that invite confusion and discrimination, particularly against immigrants and people of color. We can protect our national security without undermining civil rights or opening the door to racial profiling.
There is a better way to protect national security, to protect our agricultural land, and protect our Asian American community from the threat of racism. This amendment is not it. I strongly urge my colleagues to reject this amendment.
W. Steube
Thank you, mister speaker. The, heads of our different intelligence agencies have stated that the Chinese Communist Party is the number one threat to the national security of The United States. I had the opportunity to serve in Hawaii for three years. Hawaii has a number of different military installations that are surrounded by, for example, pineapple farms to to allow the Chinese Communist Party to purchase land around our military installations, some of the most sensitive military installations that we have. It's very surprising that you have members from that very state with all of those military installations that wouldn't wanna protect the national security of The United States.
This is a very simple amendment. It doesn't matter who the president is. It matters that we're not going to allow our enemies to buy agricultural land by our military installations and put our country at risk. I reserve.
Jill Tokuda
Thank you, mister speaker. I think it is rich that the previous speaker insinuates that China may buy all our agricultural land when most of the land in Hawaii was stolen by The United States Of America when it was illegally annexed by this country. At this time, I yield so much time as may be required to the ranking member to speak on this issue.
Angie Craig
Thank you so much for yielding. I just wanna say it's great news. It's good news. We've got a new date. We're gonna get a vote on year round e 15 on May 13.
That's terrific news, mister chair. I remember though that there was partisan working group put together earlier this year and we're supposed to get a deal by February 15, and then it was supposed to be on the floor by February 25. So I would say forgive my skepticism, but this certainly looks like every time you have a deal, we have a deal for a vote on year round e 15. There is a uprising in the Republican caucus and somehow my Republican colleagues from Midwest states where farm bankruptcies are up 70% this year get rolled. Folks, mister chair, I would remind my colleague from the other side of the aisle that everybody here is running for election to something in the next election cycle, so I clearly don't understand why it's being raised what I'm running for, but except the people who are retiring from the Republican conference in record numbers who are not seeking reelection.
Currently, the vote on the farm bill, I would just remind us all, can't go to the senate. The farm bill cannot go to the senate without a vote on e 15. So I would hope, although I remain skeptical, that anything is gonna go smoothly in this conference, that conference. I hope that we do get our long awaited vote on year round e 15. The last time e e 15 year round passed was 2022, and democrats were in the majority when it passed the house.
Again, I hope, finally, Republicans can get their act together and figure out a path forward and give us a vote on year round e 15. And I yield back.
Young Kim
Gentleman. Hawaii's time has expired. Gentleman Gentleman from Florida is recognized.
W. Steube
Thank you, mister speaker. This amendment doesn't have anything to do with e 15. I'd like to yield the remainder of my time to the chairman of the agriculture committee, GT Thompson.
Glenn Thompson
Thank you, chairman. Thank you, yielding. You know, they say an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. And this is not the first time that we have been threatened with foreign entities purchasing up agriculture assets, be it production or processing. Nineteen seventies, it was Japan.
And the result of that, there are 29 states that have laws that restrict to some degree foreign ownership or investments in private agricultural land within their state. But up to this point, the federal government has failed to do its job because we not we have not had an agricultural presence, in the CFIUS committee. Agri by the way, we correct that in this bill, in this piece of legislation, Farm Food National Security Act, and the gentleman's amendment, really complements that. Agricultural land is a strategic asset tied directly to food supply and restricting foreign ownership help ensures that adversarial nations or entities, whoever those adversaries may be in the future, cannot gain control over land near a sensitive site or, quite frankly, cannot control our food supply. Foreign entity controlling your food supply, will control your nation.
Keeping agricultural land in the hands of US producers away from adversarial nations supports long term stability in food production, reduces reliance on foreign controlled resources, ensures that land use decisions align with national interests rather than with external economic or political priorities. And the CFIUS interagency group, which under this bill, the secretary of agriculture would be a part of, would have that to to be able to do their due diligence of that. Food security is national security, and that's why I urge my colleagues to vote in support of this amendment.
Young Kim
Time's expired. The question for the amendment offered by the gentleman from Florida, all those in favor say aye. Aye. All those opposed say no. No.
In the opinion of the chair, the ayes have it. The amendment is agreed to. It is now in order to enter amendment number five one printed in part b of the house report one nineteen six two eight. For what purpose does the gentleman from Florida seek recognition?
Young Kim
Clerk will designate the amendment.
Amendment number 51 printed in part b of house report number one nineteen dash six twenty eight offered by mister Stuebe of Florida.
Pursuant to house resolution twelve twenty four, the gentleman from Florida, mister Stubbe, and a member opposed to each will control five minutes. The chair recognizes the gentleman from Florida.
W. Steube
Thank you, mister speaker. I rise today to offer an amendment defending the integrity of honey and the livelihood of the Americans who produce it. My amendment establishes clear, direct and enforceable testing standards for pure and authentic honey and ensures that claims regarding honey's purity, floral source, origin, grade and authenticity are backed by rigorous and verifiable testing here in The United States. All under standards we control, laboratories that we oversee, and methods that we recognize. And it makes one thing unmistakably clear, foreign certifications on their own cannot be used to prove the authenticity of purity of honey.
Today, markets are flooded with diluted, falsely labeled, adulterated and fake honey. Far too often, such inauthentic honey is imported to our country and lands on the shelves of American grocery stores to the deceit of the American consumer and to the discredit of the thousands of American beekeepers and honey producers across our country. This is not just a technical oversight, but confirmation of an exploited system that favors foreign producers over the Americans that keep our food supply stable and our economy flourishing. And while this exploitation continues, American beekeepers and honey producers are being undercut in their own market, forced to compete against fraud dressed up as food. But most importantly, my amendment upholds the principle that consumers deserve to not be deceived in the foods that they consume.
This amendment helps to restore trust for the American consumer, returns fairness for honey producers, and sends a message to The United States we will not be a dumping ground for fake and fraudulent products that cheat producers and mislead consumers. I urge my colleagues to stand with American producers and support my amendment. I reserve.
Young Kim
The gentleman reserves. For purposes, the gentleman from Minnesota seek recognition.
Angie Craig
Mister speaker, I rise in opposition to this amendment. I yield to myself such time as I may consume.
Angie Craig
Mister speaker, it's extremely important to support a regulated safe supply of honey products in The United States. And while I believe we can move forward on testing and creating a more consistent market, the complete exclusion of testing in some of our most reliable trade partners is an issue in this text. I believe there's a compromise between better testing and creating rifts between trusted park trusted exporters. I look forward to working with the congressman on honey regulation through the FDA, but I will have to vote no on this amendment today. And with that, I'd like to yield my time to, mister McGovern.
Gentlemen, thank you, mister speaker. I just wanna remind everybody what's happening. I I did this last night, but I I feel I have to do it again today. We are considering on the floor a five year farm bill that quite frankly does nothing for our farmers and screws over poor people and maintains the nearly $200,000,000,000 in cuts to SNAP. It is gonna make hunger worse in this country.
It may not matter to my Republican colleagues, but it matters to many of us on this side of the aisle. And I wanna remind my friends that hundreds of amendments were offered, including many by Republican, members of Congress, and hundreds of those amendments were blocked by this Republican leadership. 70% of Republican amendments were blocked. That should bother everyone on the Republican side. 90% of Democratic amendments were blocked.
And and and and, you know, and and all of this was debated. Most of this bill was debated in the middle of the night. I mean, I was on the floor at twelve midnight, 01:00 in the morning. This is what Republicans do. They bring important bills to the floor in the middle of the night.
They're like vampires. I mean, they don't they're afraid to talk about this stuff in the light of day. You know? And here we are now wrapping this up, in the early, you know, at 09:45, but the majority of this bill was debated when everybody was asleep. This is crazy.
This is a lousy process. And one of the things I've learned in my years here is that crappy processes, you know, give way to crappy pieces of legislation. In fact, the way this is written, if anyone bothers to read it I mean, the word I would use to describe it, I can't use on the house floor because my words would be taken down. We need to do better here. And this is a chance for my Republican colleagues to stand with with us and say no.
Let's do this right. This is a big deal. This is an important bill. And the way it is written, it is insufficient to meet the needs of our farmers, and and it is insufficient to deal with a rising hunger crisis in this country. I mean, for god's sake, let's let's legislate here, and let's not be afraid to have other people on both sides of the aisle be able to contribute.
This is lousy. This is terrible. This process sucks. I'm ashamed of what we're doing here today, and I thank the gentlelady for yielding.
I'll reserve.
W. Steube
Thank you, mister speaker. Americans have the right when they go to the grocery store to know that the honey that they are purchasing is not adulterated fake honey from places like the Chinese Communist Party in Brazil. They should know what their honey is. They should know that it's actual honey that they're purchasing. This amendment gives the Americans the ability to do that.
I can't think of anybody that would be opposed to that. I refer the remainder of my time to the chairman of the committee. I yield. Gentleman is the chair next.
Glenn Thompson
Very good. Well, I I thank the gentleman for yielding. I thank the gentleman for bringing up this important amendment. I can't believe that anyone is opposed to just making sure that honey is is healthy. It's it's produced in The United States.
It just shows you the politics of my friends on the left side of the aisle, the Democrats. And and so let me let me address this amendment first. As with all food quality provisions, it's important that we're relying on high quality science and methods to make sure that when products are making claims regarding their quality, purity, and authenticity, it be confirmed. And this amendment brings that certainty to the honey industry in The United States protecting by producers and consumers. And the owners are a great secondary benefit of making sure that the honey industry is successful because we need those pollinators.
We need those pollinators for everything, for our food, for beautiful flowers, for anything that grows basically. Pollination is such an important part of that. So to be opposed to this amendment is to be opposed to American agriculture. But I'm not surprised by that. The accusations of that this is a partisan bill.
I mean, I wish there was most people are paying closer attention. I think folks that know this bill know that we we are. This is a bill that has, you know, a 140 the core of it, a 140 bipartisan Republican and Democrat bills, marker bills in this. 40 bills just led by Democrats that went into this. When we did the amendment in the committee, a 100 a 100 amendments.
A 100 amendments in the committee markup process and what got adopted was basically was fifty fifty, half and half. And today, if you're really paying attention what's happening on the floor, I you know, there's pop I mean, it's probably fifty fifty today. I didn't do the actual math, but there's a lot of amendments that have been made not only in order, but were accepted by voice vote from that were offered by my friends who were both Democrats and Republicans, and that this bill passed with bipartisan votes out of committee. So the the political talking points for November that this is a partisan vote, this a partisan bill are just outrageous. You know, you can't hide from the truth.
And so, but, getting back to the sweet topic of honey, I think this is a great amendment and, and I support this amendment, urge my colleagues to do the same, and I yield back.
Angie Craig
Thank you. Again, with respect to this amendment, I I do believe there's a compromise between better testing and creating rifts between our trusted exporters. And the minority would be happy to work with the majority and the congressman on honey regulation through FDA, but we don't believe that this is the answer. You know, many of us were here pretty much all night last night, and what was interesting on the house floor during that time is, after hours of delay in actually starting general debate on the farm bill, both sides of the Republican party, both factions in the Republican party, who were negotiating for and against e 15 came back claiming victory. And I'm just raising this issue because we I personally witnessed both sides saying that they had a gentleman's agreement to bring e 15 to the floor and not to bring e 15 to the floor.
And I would just caution my colleagues on the other side of the aisle who believe that there is a deal to get e fifteen to the floor that, there are some antics and tricks related to going back to the rules committee that folks may be planning. Look. At the end of the day, unfortunately, Republican leadership has a history of promising something different to a number of different factions within the Republican party. I mean, hell, democrats over here, you don't need us to be your adversary because you're your own worst enemies these days. We just sort of pop the popcorn and watch this stuff happen.
But as this happens, I'm not rooting for you all to be at war with each other. I'm rooting for good public policy in this country. Year round e 15 is not getting a vote today. And to me, that is a really sad day that the Republican conference can't vote for a common sense bill that's gonna
Angie Craig
of gasoline at a time when the war in Iran is driving up gas prices. Thank you, mister chair. I yield back.
W. Steube
Thank you, mister speaker. Americans wanna know that when they buy honey from the supermarket or from their local grocery store that it is authentic, genuine, not adulterated, honey from another country. I yield back.
Young Kim
The question on the amendment is offered by the gentleman from Florida. All those in favor, aye. Aye. All those opposed, say no. No.
In the opinion of the chair, the ayes have it. The amendment is agreed to. Resume to clause six, rule 18, the proceedings will now resume on those amendments printed in part b of house report one nineteen six two eight, which further proceedings were postponed in the following order. Amendment number two by mister Bentz of Oregon. Amendment number eight by mister Crawford of Arkansas.
Amendment number 20 by mister Gotham of Wisconsin. Amendment number 22 by mister Grantham of Wisconsin. Amendment number 28 by miss Luna of Florida. Amendment number 36 by mister Moore of West Virginia. Amendment number 39 by mister Chauden from Michigan, amendment number 47 by mister Self of Texas, amendment number 49 by miss Spratz of Indiana.
The chair will reduce two minutes from the minimum time of any electronic vote after the first vote in this series. The unfinished business is the request of a recorded vote on amendment number two in part b of house report one nineteen six two eight. The gentleman from Oregon, mister Bents, is on further proceedings were postponed on where the ayes prevailed on a voice vote. The clerk will redesignate the amendment.
Amendment number two, printed in part b of house report number one nineteen dash six twenty eight offered by mister Bents of Oregon.
A recorded vote has been requested, and those in support of a recorded vote will rise and be counted. As sufficient having risen, a recorded vote is offered. Members will record their vote by electronic device. This will be a fifteen minute vote.
On this On this vote on this vote on this vote, the yeas are two ten, the nays are two sixteen. The amendment is adopted. Not adopted. I'm sorry. The amendment is not adopted.
The unfinished business is the request for a recorded vote on amendment number eight printed in part b of house report one six twenty eight by the gentleman from Arkansas, mister Crawford, on which the further proceedings were postponed, and on which the ayes prevailed by voice vote,
the clerk will redesignate the amendment. Amendment number eight printed in part b of house report number one nineteen dash six twenty eight, offered by mister Crawford of Arkansas.
A recorded vote has been requested. Those in support of the request for a recorded vote will rise and be counted. A sufficient number having risen, a recorded vote is ordered. Members will record their votes by electronic device. This will be a two minute vote.
Vote, the yeas are three eighty four. The nays are 35. The amendment is adopted. Unfinished business is the request for a recorded vote on amendment number 20 printed in part b of the house report one nineteen six twenty eight by the gentleman from Wisconsin, mister Grossman, on which the further proceedings were postponed, on which the ayes prevailed by voice vote. The clerk will redesignate the amendment.
Amendment number 20, printed in part b of house report number one nineteen dash six twenty eight, offered by mister Groveman of Wisconsin.
A recorded vote has been requested. Those in support of the request for a recorded vote will rise and be counted. A sufficient number having risen, a recorded vote is ordered. Members will record their votes by electronic device. This is a two minute vote.
On this vote, the yeas are four sixteen, the nays are eight, the amendment is adopted. The unfinished business is the request for a recorded vote on amendment number 22 printed in part b of the house report one nineteen six twenty eight by the gentleman from Wisconsin, mister Grossman, on which the further proceedings were postponed and on which the noes prevailed by voice vote. Redesignate the amendment.
Amendment number 22 printed in part b of house report number one nineteen dash six twenty eight, offered by mister Groveman of Wisconsin.
A recorded vote has been requested. Those in support for the request of a recorded vote will rise and be counted. A sufficient number having risen, a recorded vote is ordered. Members will record their votes by electronic device. This is a two minute vote.
On this vote, the azer 69 and azer 355, the amendment is not adopted. Unfinished business is the request for recorded vote on the amendment number 28 printed in part b of the house report, one nineteen six twenty eight by the gentlewoman from Florida, miss Luna, on which further proceedings were postponed, and on which the no is prevailed by voice vote. The clerk will redesignate the amendment.
Amendment number 28, printed in part b of house report number 119Dash628, offered by missus Luna of Florida.
A recorded vote has been requested. Those in support of a request for a recorded vote will rise and be counted. A sufficient number having risen, a recorded vote is ordered. Members will record their votes by electronic device. This will be a two minute vote.
On this vote, the ayes are two eighty, the nays are one forty two, the amendment is adopted. The unfinished business is the request for a recorded vote on amendment number 36 printed in part b of the house report one nineteen six twenty eight by the gentleman from West Virginia, mister Moore, on which further proceedings were postponed and on which the ayes prevailed by voice vote. The clerk will redesignate the amendment.
Amendment number 36 printed in part b of house report number one nineteen dash six twenty eight, offered by mister Moore of West Virginia.
A recorded vote has been requested. Those in support of a request for a recorded vote will rise and be counted. A sufficient number having risen a recorded vote is ordered. Members will record their votes by electronic device. This will be a two minute vote.
On this vote, the yeas are one eighty seven, the nays are two thirty nine, the amendment is not adopted. The unfinished business is the request for a recorded vote on amendment number 39 printed in part b of the house report one nineteen six twenty eight by the gentleman from Michigan, miss Scolton, on which further proceedings were postponed and on which the noes prevailed by voice vote. The clerk will redesignate the amendment.
Thank you. Amendment number 39 printed in part b of house report number 119Dash628, offered by miss Scolton of Michigan.
A recorded vote has been requested. Those in support of the request for a recorded vote will rise and be counted. A sufficient number having risen, a recorded vote is ordered. Members will record their votes by electronic device. This is a two minute vote.
On this vote, the yeas are two thirty three, the nays are one ninety four, the amendment is adopted. The unfinished business is the request for a recorded vote on amendment number 47 printed in part b of house report one nineteen six twenty eight by the gentle gentleman from Texas, mister Self, on which further proceedings were postponed and on which the ayes prevailed by voice vote. The clerk will redesignate the amendment.
Amendment number 47, printed in part b of house report number one 19Dash628, offered by mister South of Texas.
A recorded vote has been requested. Those in support of the request for a recorded vote will rise and be counted. A sufficient number having risen, a recorded vote is ordered. Members will record their votes by electronic device. This is a two minute vote.
Who's voting? Vote the yeas are one eighty six, the nays are two thirty eight. The amendment is not adopted. The unfinished business is the request for a recorded vote on amendment number 49 printed in part b of the house report one nineteen six twenty eight by the gentlewoman from Indiana miss Sparks on which the further proceedings were postponed, and on which the ayes prevailed by voice vote. The clerk will redesignate the amendment.
Amendment number 49 printed in part b of house report number one nineteen dash six twenty eight, offered by missus Sparks of Indiana. A recorded vote has
been requested. Those in support of a request for a recorded vote will rise and be counted. A sufficient number having risen, a recorded vote is ordered. Members will record their vote by electronic device. This is a two minute vote.
Voted. Yea's are two fifteen. The nay's are two thirteen. The amendment is adopted. There being no further amendments under the rule, the committee rises.
Mister Sheeran. Madam speaker, the committee of the whole house on the State of the Union has had under consideration HR seven five six seven. In pursuant to house resolution twelve twenty four, I report the bill as amended by that resolution back to the house with sundry further amendments adopted in the committee of the whole.
The chair on the committee of the whole house on the state of the union reports that the committee has had under consideration the bill h r seven five six seven and pursuant to house resolution one two two four, reports the bill as amended by that resolution back to the house with sundry further amendments adopted in the committee of the whole. Under the rule, the previous question is ordered. Is a separate vote demanded on any further amendment reported from the committee of the whole? If not, the chair will put them engrossed. The question is on the adoption of the amendments.
Those in favor say aye. Those opposed, say no. The ayes have it. The amendments are adopted. The question is on engrossment of the third reading of the bill.
Those in favor, please say aye. Those opposed, no. The ayes have it. Third reading.
A bill to provide for the reform and continuation of agricultural and other programs of the Department of Agriculture through fiscal year twenty thirty one and for other purposes.
From what purposes the gentleman woman from Minnesota seek recognition?
Young Kim
The clerk the clerk will report the motion.
Miss Craig of Minnesota moves to recommit the bill, HR seventy five sixty seven, to the committee on agriculture.
Pursuant to clause two b of rule 19, the previous question is ordered on the motion to recommit. The question is on the motion to recommit. Those in favor say aye. Those opposed say no. No.
Any opinion of the chair of the noes have it.
Young Kim
Yeas and nays have been requested. Those in favor of voting by the yeas and nays will rise. A sufficient number having risen, the yeas and nays are ordered. Members will record their votes by electronic device pursuant to clause nine of rule 20. This five minute vote on the motion to recommit will be followed by a five minute vote on passage of the bill if ordered.
This is a five minute vote.
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