Yesterday, I spoke on the Senate floor to celebrate the passage of the 2018 Farm Bill and discuss some of my priorities that I worked to get included in the final product.
Agriculture is a driving force of the Natural State’s economy, adding around $16 billion to our economy every year and accounting for approximately one in every six jobs. Sending this bill to the President is about as important as it gets for Arkansas.
A few of my specific wins that were included:
...- The elimination of all state performance bonuses in SNAP that will save $48 million per year by preventing bonuses from being paid out to states that were exaggerating their performance
- A provision that would allow trade promotion funding for agricultural products to be used in Cuba
- A provision that clarifies the definition of livestock to include live fish for purposes of the Department of Transportation’s Hours of Service regulations
- The reauthorization of the ATTRA program, which does so much to help our veterans who want to get started in agriculture
- The reauthorization of the Delta Regional Authority
- Investment in conservation to help the waterfowl found in Arkansas
- Inclusion of my bill with Sen. Coons, "The Century Farms Act," which recognizes farms that have been in continuous operation by the same family for one hundred or more years
From my family to yours, Merry Christmas. Wishing all Arkansans a very joyful holiday filled with the warmth and love of this season. May we remember the true meaning of Christmas and seek to be givers in the coming year.
