WASHINGTON, DC -- It’s August, which means members of Congress are heading back to their home states and districts for the August Recess. This presents a great opportunity for USA Rice members to meet with their representatives and discuss the issues that our industry is facing. They’ll be spending the next month travelling their districts, attending community events, and listening to constituents, taking what they hear and learn back to Washington with them—so now is the time to make your voice heard.
With ongoing financial strain on rice farmers and supply chain and logistics issues impacting millers and merchants, there are plenty of topics for USA Rice members to broach. Events like town halls are the perfect avenue to discuss how federal policy and legislation impact the rice industry. With harvest upon us, it’s also a chance to invite members of Congress to visit your farms and businesses to learn first-hand about the critical issues you face every day and see your operation in action, whether that is riding on a combine or touring a facility. And with the November mid-term elections coming up, there will likely be plenty of meet-and-greets and other opportunities to visit with them in your local communities.
If you are unable to meet with your members of Congress in person, consider engaging with them via telephone, email, or on social media. USA Rice’s Advocacy Toolkit is a great resource for information on how to communicate effectively with your elected officials.
“We always encourage USA Rice members to engage with their elected officials throughout the year, but especially while they’re home for the August recess,” said Jamison Cruce, USA Rice senior director of government affairs. “We’re coming up on the midterm elections and there’s a lot at stake for the agriculture industry, so it’s a crucial time for our members reach out and connect with their members of Congress about issues impacting the U.S. rice industry.”