HOUSE AGRICULTURE COMMITTEE REVIEWS CLIMATE CHANGE LEGISLATION
News Date June 16, 2009
The House Agriculture Committee held a hearing on June 11 to review the American Clean Energy and Security Act, major climate change legislation which was recently passed by the House Energy and Commerce Committee. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack testified at the hearing, along with representatives from farm groups, commodity associations and cooperatives.
The hearing lasted almost seven hours which reflected the concerns many farm state lawmakers have about the legislation. Both democrats and republicans asked Vilsack to fully consider the potential impacts on agriculture as well as opportunities under a carbon offset program. A number of lawmakers urged Vilsack to postpone legislation until the impacts on production agriculture are better understood and said that any final bill should provide USDA–not the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)–with the authority to address the needs and programs for farmers.
"Many Members of the House Agriculture Committee have serious concerns about how climate change legislation being considered in Congress will affect the people living in their districts," Chairman Collin Peterson remarked. "This hearing has helped us better understand what is being proposed and what can be done to improve the legislation."
For further information regarding the hearing, including testimony provided by the witnesses, please visit the House Agriculture Committee website: http://agriculture.house.gov/hearings/index.html. (Contact: David Hickey)