When President Trump took office, he promised to stand up for those often overlooked, including farmers, ranchers, and rural communities.

Once again, he has demonstrated his commitment, firmly opposing unfavorable trade deals, working to reduce the federal deficit, and delivering tangible benefits to families who put food on our tables.

As we look ahead to Farm Bill 2.0, I feel optimistic that Alabama agriculture will thrive for future generations, building on past achievements.

It’s an honor to collaborate with President Trump and my Alabama colleagues. The House Agriculture Committee is pleased to affirm that this bill hasn’t been crafted by distant bureaucrats.

President Trump’s significant legislation has put more resources into American agricultural producers than any measure in recent decades.

This law has introduced SNAP reforms to cut fraud and waste, raised benchmark prices, and abolished death taxes. While we’ve made substantial progress, many challenges remain that producers need our assistance to overcome.

Farm Bill 2.0 should incorporate crucial measures, including safeguarding and expanding crop insurance for specialty crop producers, reinforcing product programs resulting from settlements, prompt and equitable disaster aid implementation, and ongoing investment in rural areas.

Crop insurance is vital; we need it to be robust and adaptable. It serves as our primary risk management tool. The upcoming Farm Bill 2.0 should not only protect it but also guide the USDA to develop new coverage options for specialty crops, poultry farmers, and those affected by disasters.

Producers aren’t looking for handouts; they simply want a fair shot at surviving tough years while serving Alabama families.

Besides enhancing crop insurance, we also need to strengthen agricultural safety nets. Farming can be quite unpredictable, with market fluctuations and natural disasters posing challenges beyond producers’ control.

We’ve backed increased reference prices under the earlier major bill to help mitigate market volatility during President Biden’s term. Another crucial move would be establishing block grant authority to streamline disaster relief.

This would enable Alabama to respond more rapidly instead of relying on Washington’s pace.

Farm Bill 2.0 must prepare our rural communities for the future by supporting young and beginning farmers through improved access to broadband, stronger healthcare facilities, and resources for credit, training, and financial tools.

America cannot afford to lose a generation of producers; they need the opportunity to provide for their families.

Alabama farmers are among the hardest-working, most devout people in the nation.

I look forward to continuing my work with President Trump and the House Agriculture Committee on Farm Bill 2.0, which I believe will safeguard the future of American agriculture and keep Alabama at the forefront of feeding and fueling our great nation.