Agriculture

Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) secured critical relief for farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural producers impacted by recent heatwaves in the stopgap federal funding legislation that passed the House of Representatives today. The bill would fund the government until December 11, 2021, if passed by the Senate and signed by President Biden. In June, a historic heatwave with temperatures reaching as high as 120 degrees Fahrenheit devastated farmers in the Pacific Northwest. In many instan... Read more

Today, Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) led a bipartisan, bicameral effort to secure more relief for farmers, ranchers, and other agriculture producers in the western United States affected by historic wildfires, droughts, and extreme heat. In a letter to Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, the lawmakers urge the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to open relief programs up to more producers that have lost crops and livestock to the ongoing droughts, extreme heat, and wildfires. In addition... Read more

Today, Congressional Dairy Farmers Caucus Co-Chairs, Reps. Suzan DelBene (WA-01), Peter Welch (VT-At Large), Joe Courtney (CT-02), Tom Reed (NY-23), and Mike Simpson (ID-02), led a letter to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Sonny Purdue urging support for dairy farmers facing an economic crisis due to the COVID-19 pandemic. “Dairy farmers need support immediately,” the lawmakers wrote in the letter. “We urge you (Secretary Purdue) to use your authority to provide support directly ... Read more

Today, Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) released additional COVID-19 resources guides to help tribes, students, educators, and farmers navigate the benefits in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, the historic $2 trillion relief package recently passed by Congress and signed into law. DelBene’s newly released guides are specific to: Agriculture K-12 Education Higher Education Tribes “Congress took historic action by passing the CARES Act and now it is incumbent upon... Read more

Today, Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) and Congresswoman Kim Schrier (WA-08) were joined by SNAP recipients and activists for a discussion on the Trump administration’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) rule changes and the effects they will have on Washingtonians. The event took place at Northwest Harvest’s SODO Community Market in downtown Seattle. DelBene and Schrier toured the market and volunteered at a check stand. Speakers at the event included Thomas Reynolds, CEO for... Read more

Today, Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) made the following statement: “I am pleased that the House of Representatives has approved the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), a deal which will support our region’s farmers, workers, and families. “This new agreement includes important provisions that will help our region’s dairy farmers, who for years have struggled to export their products to Canada. It also eliminates a rule in British Columbia that requires imported wines to be place... Read more

Dear Friend, Agriculture is a vital, thriving part of Washington state’s economy. The First Congressional District has more than 4,000 farms that supply restaurants, markets and our local communities. That’s why I introduced legislation this week, along with Rep. Rick Larsen, to amend the Specialty Crop Research Initiative, providing $2.5 million annually to support research for berry and grape crops. My bill gives Washington small fruit farmers the resources they need to develop and implement n... Read more

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) introduced legislation that would amend the Specialty Crop Research Initiative to provide $2.5 million annually to support research for berry and grape crops. This funding would address the challenges and emerging needs for Washington state farmers. “Agriculture is a vital, thriving part of Washington state’s economy. The First Congressional District has more than 4,000 farms that supply restaurants, markets and our local communities.... Read more

Today, Representative Suzan DelBene (WA-01), Representative Dave Reichert (WA-08), Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), a senior member of the Senate Finance Committee, and Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) led a bipartisan group of Members of Congress from Washington State urging the United States Trade Representative (USTR), Ambassador Robert Lighthizer, to address retaliation by our trading partners in response to the Administration’s placement of tariffs on imports of steel and aluminum. The letter high... Read more

Dear Friend, Ensuring people have access to local and nutritious foods is an absolute necessity. Recently, I met with local nutrition advocates and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients to talk about the importance of protecting nutrition programs in the upcoming farm bill. It’s important to remember that these investments not only have an incredibly positive effect on our economy, but also on people’s lives. During negotiations of the last farm bill, I successfully added a... Read more