This is just the start…

Earlier today, I had a great discussion about health care reform and the important role of Community Health Centers at New Horizons Healthcare in Roanoke.

On Thursday, I had the opportunity to meet with a group about their experiences with congenital heart defects. I want to thank them for sharing their very personal stories, and for giving me more information about this serious health issue many children face.

Route 11 Potato Chips in Shenandoah County is one of the many businesses that call the Sixth District home. I stopped by this week to discuss some issues before Congress impacting their business and employees.

Recently, a group of workers in the pulp and paper industry came by my office. Did you know the forest products industry generates over $23.4 billion annually to the Virginia economy?

Agriculture is a Vital Part of America’s Economy  

Driving through the Sixth District, it’s hard to miss the rows of crops, livestock dotted pastures, and barns and silos that represent the local agriculture community. The impact of agriculture is much larger than just the farms you see – it’s also agritourism stops like farmer’s markets, wineries and breweries, and food stands that are drawing more and more people to our part of Virginia. With roughly 46,000 farms and 311,000 related jobs in Virginia, the agriculture industry plays a particularly important role as the largest contributor to the state economy.

Later this month, on March 21, we will mark National Agriculture Day – a celebration of the abundance provided by agriculture. It is important that Congress put forth federal policies to help ensure that American agriculture can continue to meet the needs of our nation and prevent federal red tape that would make it impossible for farmers to continue producing abundant and affordable products. Agriculture is not just a part of our heritage as a nation; it also plays an essential role in the future of America.

Farm Bill Underway

Given the importance of agriculture to the Sixth District, I am honored to serve on the House Committee on Agriculture. In the 115th Congress, the Agriculture Committee will have the responsibility of crafting a new Farm Bill, which sets our nation’s policy on issues ranging from commodities, crop insurance, rural development, forest management, conservation, nutrition, and food safety. It is important that we have a fiscally responsible, reform-minded Farm Bill that will help ensure that agriculture remains a vital part of the American economy.

The Committee has already held several hearings to seek input on the next Farm Bill, and many more are planned for the coming weeks as this process continues. While I look forward to learning more about the needs of the agriculture community from these hearings, I also want to hear from those in the Sixth District about what you would like to see in the Farm Bill. To submit a comment, please visit my website at Goodlatte.House.Gov.

Goodbye WOTUS?

Like many industries, the threat of wide-reaching and difficult to implement federal regulations has a significant impact on agriculture. Just a few days ago, in a victory for many in rural America, President Trump signed an Executive Order that would set the course to rescind the controversial Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule. The concerns of many farmers and small businesses in the Sixth District that this unworkable rule would drastically expand the Environmental Protection Agency’s authority over regulating waterways were echoed across the country. Protecting America’s waterways is critical, but this should be a collaborative approach. We need common sense policies that will protect water quality without limiting economic growth and unfairly over-regulating agricultural producers, small businesses, municipalities, and local economies.

Weekend Read… 

Fox News: GOP wants to eliminate shadowy DOJ slush fund

President Trump’s First Joint Address to Congress

Earlier this week, President Trump brought his message to the American people during a joint session of Congress. He articulated in very frank terms the challenges that our nation is currently facing, both at home and abroad. But he also put forth a list of bold initiatives designed to tackle these challenges and make America more competitive, make our streets safe and enhance our national security, restart America’s job creation engine, and strengthen American families.

President Trump outlined the progress that has already been made in the first weeks of his presidency. From acting to secure our borders to taking steps to start cutting through red tape by reining in the regulatory state, he has kept his word to the American people that he will advance policies to strengthen America. This is just the start – Congress now has the unique opportunity to come together to reform the tax system, enact patient-centered health care solutions, support our veterans and military, restore the rule of law, and make the immigration system work better for our country. I am focused on working with my colleagues in Congress and President Trump to advance this agenda for the people of Virginia’s Sixth District and the nation.