AGRICULTURE
Joe Sestak is a strong supporter of Pennsylvania’s rural and agricultural communities. Agriculture is steeped in the history of our state, from Lancaster’s dairy farms to the mushroom capital of the world, Kennett Square. Pennsylvania is also a national leader in agriculture, ranking first in the nation for the number of Christmas tree farms, fourth in the nation in sales of Nursery, greenhouse, floriculture, and sod products, and fourth in sales of milk and other dairy products. Keeping our farming and forestry communities vibrant is essential to Pennsylvania’s economy and identity. This is why Joe supports efforts to strengthen programs aiding farmers, especially the small farmers that are the backbone of Pennsylvania’s agriculture industry.
HIGHLIGHTS OF JOE SESTAK’S EFFORTS TO SUPPORT AMERICA’S AGRICULTURAL ECONOMY
VICE-CHAIR OF HOUSE SMALL BUSINESS COMMITTEE
The Committee held 4 full committee hearings on agriculture issues and concerns of small farmers.
87% RATING FROM THE NATIONAL FARMERS UNION
VOTED FOR THE FARM, NUTRITION AND BIOENERGY ACT OF 2008 (THE FARM BILL)
Voted four times for the Farm Bill, which expanded food security programs, conserved vital natural resources, promoted healthier foods and local food networks, and reformed commodity and bio-fuel programs to reflect the priorities of the nation. The bill increased nutrition programs by more than $10 billion over the next ten years and provided $1 billion to fund programs that will help the renewable energy industry invest in new technologies that use a variety of sources beyond feed grain. The bill also increased conservation program spending by $7.9 billion.
VOTED FOR THE AGRICULTURE DISASTER ASSISTANCE ACT
H.R. 2207, which passed the House, included $3.5 billion for disaster assistance to producers who suffered crop and livestock losses from weather-related disasters; and a one-month extension of the Milk Income Loss Contract dairy subsidy program.
VOTED FOR RURAL-SPECIFIC PROVISIONS IN THE AMERICAN RECOVERY AND REINVESTMENT ACT
Included $7.2 billion for grants to deploy broadband in underserved and unserved areas; $150 million of budget authority to support $3.1 billion in rural business loans and grants for rural businesses, $130 million of budget authority for rural community facilities to support $1.2 billion in loans and grants for hospitals, health clinics, health and safety vehicles/equipment, public buildings and child and elder care.
MEMBER OF THE CONGRESSIONAL DAIRY CAUCUS
CO-SPONSORED THE DAIRY FAIRNESS ACT
Would index for inflation the payment rate for payments under the milk income loss contract program.
CO-SPONSORED RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE GOALS OF NATIONAL DAIRY MONTH
With dairy prices down for the third month in a row as of July 2009, the Resolution recognizes the dairy industry's important role in the economic and nutritional well being of Americans; and commends dairy farmers for their hard work and commitment to our economy and to the preservation of open space
SUPPORTED COMMODITY MARKETS TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY ACT
Voted for this legislation when considered under Suspension of the rule. The bill, which later passed under a rule, would prevent excessive speculation of agriculture commodities, returning these markets to their initial purpose as a tool for farmers to manage risk.
CO-SPONSORED THE RURAL WIND ENERGY DEVELOPMENT ACT
Included tax credit for installation of and an accelerated depreciation allowance for wind energy property.
VOTED FOR RENEWABLE ENERGY AND ENERGY CONSERVATION TAX ACT OF 2008
Included incentives for the use and production of renewable energy resources, specifically expands tax credits for cellulosic fuels. This bill was endorsed by the American Farm Bureau.
VOTED FOR THE AMERICAN CLEAN ENERGY SECURITY ACT
Incentivized the use of renewable electricity sources and limits greenhouse gas emissions. In accommodation of the agriculture industry, the bill provided the Agriculture Department, as opposed to the EPA, with the authority to define and administer greenhouse gas emissions for agricultural and forestry practices. It also exempted agriculture and forestry entities, such as farms, from the bill's emissions cap.
VOTED FOR THE SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS ACT, WHICH INCLUDED SIGNIFICANT FOOD AID
Included $1.9 Billion dedicated to food aid, $500 million above the President’s request.
CO-SPONSORED THE MEDICARE ACCESS TO RURAL ANESTHESIOLOGY ACT
Provided payment under Medicare part A (Hospital Insurance) on a reasonable cost basis for anesthesia services furnished by a physician who is an anesthesiologist in certain rural hospitals in the same manner as payment is made for anesthesia services furnished by a certified registered nurse anesthetists in such hospitals.
CO-SPONSORED AND VOTED FOR LEGISLATION THAT SPECIFICALLY ASSISTS RURAL SMALL BUSINESSES
The SBIR/STTR Reauthorization Act extends the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) through FY2010 and requires agencies to give a priority to SBIR and STTR award applications submitted by rural companies.
CO-SPONSORED AND VOTED FOR THE SERVE AMERICA ACT; SUPPORTED RURAL SPECIFIC PROVISIONS
Gave funding priority to programs in rural communities for new Semester of Service programs that allow secondary school students to earn academic credit for a semester of coordinated school-based or community-based service-learning; and Americorps programs that meet the development needs of rural communities. The bill placed specific emphasis on National Civilian Community Corps projects that support rural development, among other rural-specific provisions.
CO-SPONSORED THE HEALTHY FARMS, FOODS AND FUELS ACT
Extended the conservation reserve program; environmental quality incentives program; wildlife habitat incentive program; and agricultural management assistance program.
Revised the farmland protection program and funding for the healthy forests reserve program.
Revised and extended the biorefinery development program, farm-to-cafeteria program; women, infants, and children farmers' market nutrition program; senior farmers’ market nutrition program; farmers’ market promotion program; and farm viability program (currently, program authority is discretionary).
Provided for procurement of locally produced agricultural products by Departments of Defense and Agriculture.
CO-SPONSORED THE RURAL VETERANS HEALTH CARE ACCESS ACT
Directed the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish and implement a pilot program to provide mental health counseling to eligible veterans at non-VA medical facilities. Requires a 6-month supply of vouchers to be issued to eligible Veterans for counseling (including family counseling) services by the mental health provider.
SUMMARY OF FUTURE INITIATIVES
Joe supports reforms to the commodity pricing markets so that price windows are narrowed to mitigate boom bust cycles and carbon emission offset and renewable energy opportunities that will create a generous income stream for our farmers while lowering energy expenses and reducing the impacts of global warming.
Ensure Commodities Exchanges Function for Farmers
Increase Regulation of financial institutions participating in Commodities markets and preserve the intent of these markets, protecting farmers from variation in harvests and seasonal income.
Provide Assistance for Dairy Farmers
Improve programs protecting dairy farmers from price variation by increasing percentage of losses covered.
Expand the Dairy Export Incentive Program (DEIP) which helps U.S. dairy exporters meet prevailing world dairy prices
Establish a Sensible Immigration System that Addresses the Needs of Farmers without Eliminating jobs for Americans
Expand H-2A visas programs to ensure available seasonal workers for farms
Establish pathway to citizenship for current experienced farm workers.
Access to Capital for Rural Communities
Expand the Rural Development Guaranteed Loan Program in the Department of Agriculture to improve access to capital for farmers and rural businesses.
