NGWA is encouraged by the recent bicameral momentum on the 2024 Farm Bill following the release of draft outlines from respective Senate and House Agriculture Committee Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow (D-Michigan) and Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson (R-Pennsylvania).
A farm bill, reauthorized every five years, is critical to supporting both rural and urban communities across the country, and cross-party cooperation is imperative to making an impactful difference. NGWA appreciates that these proposals are a positive step to achieving that goal by incorporating a wide spectrum of viewpoints from diverse stakeholders and industries — a goal difficult to accomplish without Stabenow and Thompson’s stewardship.
While the full bill text is forthcoming in both chambers, the proposals indicate that many of NGWA’s rural water and rural development priorities are included. The Association anticipates a markup in the House Agriculture Committee on May 23 with text of the House proposal to be released shortly before.
As Congress moves toward reauthorization, NGWA urges both committees to collaborate on a bipartisan bill that supports a robust Rural Development Title. The Association applauds these significant steps on both sides of Capitol Hill and stands ready to build on this momentum to bring a final bipartisan bill over the finish line.
NGWA will keep the industry updated as this process unfolds including potential action alerts on amendments in the leadup and during the House Committee markup. Please continue to contact your members on the House Agriculture Committee to support NGWA Farm Bill priorities.
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