Agriculture

Production agriculture is the heart of America. In fact, the Fourth District of Oklahoma is the proud home to more than 13,000 farms and ranches. We cannot take for granted the hard work and innovation of the agriculture sector or the value they add to the economy.

Sadly, production agriculture has become an afterthought in a country whose citizens spend a smaller percentage of their income on food than anywhere else in the world. While our population continues to shift to urban centers, many Americans are unaware of the hard work and innovation our farmers and ranchers bring to production agriculture.

There are no better stewards of the land than those whose livelihood depends on that land. I am pleased to be working with the Trump Administration to roll back burdensome rules and regulations, particularly at the Environmental Protection Agency, that have often posed needlessly high compliance costs for farmers and ranchers, which is crippling for agriculture production in rural America.

I work closely with Congressman Frank Lucas (OK-03), a former Chairman of the House Committee on Agriculture, and other members in the Oklahoma delegation to ensure that our farmers and ranchers are not left behind and that safety nets, such as crop insurance, remain in place to protect against the volatile effects of drought, floods, tornadoes and other disasters.

More on Agriculture

Members of Congress Request USDA’s Findings of Beef Pricing Investigation

May 1, 2020 Press Release

Norman, OK – Congressman Tom Cole (OK-04) today joined a bipartisan letter to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Sonny Perdue, requesting that findings of USDA's beef pricing investigation be provided to Congress as soon as possible.

Oklahoma delegation celebrates one year of USMCA, urges passage through Congress

October 1, 2019 Press Release

Washington, DC – Members of Oklahoma’s Congressional delegation released statements in support of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) this afternoon on the one-year anniversary of President Donald Trump’s announcement of the three-country trade agreement.

Supporting Rural America

December 17, 2018 Weekly Columns

As Congress continues to finish its work this year, I am encouraged that lawmakers in both chambers recently finalized and approved legislation that is vital to the success of our nation’s farmers and ranchers. Introduced under various titles over the years but known generally as the Farm Bill, this comprehensive piece of legislation is revisited every five years to ensure the best results are still being delivered to producers and consumers.

Cole Praises Passage of 2018 Farm Bill Conference Report

December 12, 2018 Press Release

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Tom Cole (OK-04) released the following statement after the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Conference Report to Accompany H.R. 2 - Agriculture Improvement Act.

Cole Applauds House Passage of 2018 Farm Bill

June 21, 2018 Press Release

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Tom Cole (OK-04) released the following statement after the House passed H.R. 2, the Agriculture and Nutrition Act, also known as the 2018 Farm Bill, with Cole’s support.

“Protecting our farmers and ranchers is essential to the agriculture community and our nation’s economy,” said Cole. “To maintain healthy crops and produce, farmers and ranchers need protection and stability. This year’s farm bill provides those securities.

Protection For Our Farmers And Ranchers

April 30, 2018 Weekly Columns

Oklahoma is a leader in multiple industries, like aviation and energy, but there is no question that agriculture is at the heart of the state’s commerce. Farmers and ranchers add incredible value to our nation’s economy, and we should not take them for granted. Our national well-being depends on the health of the nation’s agriculture production. To maintain healthy crops and produce, farmers and ranchers need protection and stability.

Cole and Bishop Introduce The FDA Deeming Authority Clarification Act of 2017

February 16, 2017 Press Release

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Tom Cole (OK-04), along with Congressman Sanford Bishop (GA-02) introduced legislation today to ensure sensible regulations for newly “deemed” tobacco products by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Farm Bill Conference Report Supported by House

January 29, 2014 Press Release

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Tom Cole (OK-04) praised today’s passage of the Agricultural Act of 2014. It is the final product of the joint conference committee that reconciled differences between the farm bills of the House and Senate. By repealing or making changes to various programs and reducing regulations, this bill saves taxpayers $23 billion in mandatory federal spending.