Hartzler selected as conferee for 2018 Farm Bill

Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler (MO-04) was named by Speaker Paul Ryan as a conferee for the Conference Committee for the 2018 Farm Bill. As part of the committee, made up of leaders from the House and Senate, Hartzler will help resolve the differences between the House and Senate versions of the 2018 Farm Bill.

“Providing the safest, most abundant food supply in the world for the American people is the primary objective of the Farm Bill. I look forward to working with my fellow House and Senate conferees to put forth strong farm policy during these difficult times in farm country. It is critical that the Farm Bill conference report continue to prioritize farmers and ranchers while addressing other needs such as rural broadband, trade, research and development, and good conservation practices. The House version contains historic improvements to the SNAP program to help recipients break the cycle of poverty by improving work opportunities for able-bodied adults receiving federal nutrition assistance, and I will work hard during conference to ensure the final bill promotes individual success for those receiving government assistance,” said Hartzler.

“Today, we move one step closer to delivering a strong, new farm bill to the president’s desk on time as he has called on Congress to do. America’s farmers and ranchers and rural America are struggling right now and they deserve the certainty of a strong farm bill to see them through to better times. The House has pulled together a solid team of conferees – including Rep. Hartzler. I’m looking forward to working with Vicky, who has been a strong voice for agriculture through this process, and the rest of our House and Senate colleagues to reach a final product that helps millions of low-income Americans climb the economic ladder, while standing by our nation’s hard-working farm and ranch families,” said House Agriculture Committee Chairman Mike Conaway (TX-11).

The Farm Bill is a five-year reauthorization of agriculture programs, conservation, nutrition, trade, credit, and other programs important to rural America. Hartzler has served as a member of the House Agriculture Committee since joining Congress in 2011.