WASHINGTON, DC – With August upon us, Congress has adjourned until September, giving Members of Congress the opportunity to return to their home districts and states where they will hold constituent meetings, town halls, and community events. Over the next five weeks, it will be critical for these elected officials to hear from U.S. rice industry stakeholders about important issues before reconvening for the final stretch of the 118th Congress.
August recess is an important opportunity for USA Rice members to meet with their federal legislators to reiterate and amplify the need for a new and modernized Farm Bill. During these events, emphasizing the importance of passing a 2024 Farm Bill that includes a strong farm safety net should be the key focus.
“The most important issue is a meaningful increase to the rice reference price for the Price Loss Coverage (PLC) program – the cornerstone of the rice farmer’s safety net,” said Jamison Cruce, vice president of government affairs for USA Rice. “Be sure your Members of Congress know how tight margins are for production agriculture right now and the headwinds you face like high input costs, inflationary pressures, and market-manipulating countries like India that unfairly hurt the U.S. rice industry’s competitiveness worldwide.”
Cruce added: “There should be specific focus on the negative impact on your operation and daily livelihood should Congress fail to pass a Farm Bill this year without shoring up the farm safety net.”
He also reminded USA Rice members that August recess is a great opportunity to invite their Members of Congress to tour operations. Providing an in-person look at what it’s like to run a rice farming or milling operation is helpful in showcasing the issues facing the industry. This helps develop a more informed perspective of just how important these issues are for operations throughout the rice growing regions of the United States.
Cruce suggested that if members are unable to meet with Members of Congress in person, they should consider engaging with them via telephone, email, or on social media. The
USA Rice Advocacy Toolkit is a great resource for information on how to communicate effectively with your elected officials.
The House and Senate are scheduled to reconvene in Washington, DC, on September 9.