Members of the Iowa delegation in both chambers of Congress have been making efforts at advancing agricultural legislation aimed at fixing everyday issues that Iowa farmers are facing. Whether it is supply chain issues, biofuels, cattle market transparency, or other policies; they have been working hard to bring our needs to the minds of their fellow lawmakers.
I had the chance to talk with Iowa 1st district Congresswoman Ashley Hinson. She had some updates to share with us from the House of Representatives. This includes measures that were passed out of the Ag Committee this week.
The first piece of legislation we discussed was the PRECISE Act. Hinson says that it is meant to allow farmers to have better access to precision ag equipment which allows them to be better managers of inputs, costs, and the environment. That bill passed with unanimous support in the House Ag Committee.
She feels that this bill will see wide bipartisan support to help farmers as people are more cognizant of where their food comes from and that farmers need all the tools they can get to be better stewards of soil and water and get the most output they can.
Hinson also talked about efforts to fix supply chain issues, that are wreaking havoc, not only for the agriculture sector but the whole economy. Hinson said that keeping our supply chain moving is National Security. Also, food infrastructure is National insecurity. She tells us about the Strengthening the Agriculture Food Supply Chain Act. This is getting plans in place to make the supply chain more efficient and resilient.
Hinson says she is also continuing her calls for more biofuels support in Congress. She says the Administration needs to stop having such a narrow focus on their energy policy.
Hinson also extended her best wishes for Iowa farmers as they are getting the 2022 crop year underway.
