This week, the House passed the Farm, Food, and National Security Act, a five-year farm bill that provides critical support to our nation’s farmers, ranchers, and many more critical supporters of our nation’s economy. As Chairman Thompson of the Agriculture Committee said previously, this legislation did not spontaneously appear in the halls of Congress. It was formed out in the fields, pastures, and communities of our nation. This bipartisan legislation contains the policies, perspectives, and solutions of both Democrats and Republicans. This shared collaboration will yield positive and substantive results for countless Americans across our nation.

Specifically, the Farm, Food, and National Security Act:

• Expands access to credit and risk management tools for producers who are facing some of the toughest times in the farm economy since the 1980s.
  
• Streamlines working lands conservation programs and prioritizes responsible management of federal forests.
  
• Attacks the agriculture trade deficit by doubling funding for export promotion programs and ensures responsible oversight of humanitarian food aid programs.
  
• Reduces spending by an additional $603 million, while focusing responsible spending on agriculture and also solidifying almost $200 billion in savings achieved with reforms to SNAP.

I was very pleased to have shepherded this legislation through the Rules Committee and to have voted in favor of it when it came to the House floor. Without question, America’s farmers and ranchers are some of the hardest working – and most dedicated – men and women of our nation. Because of them, families across the nation are fed, rural communities are sustained, and the nation remains strong. They will always have my strong support. 

New Scam Alert

There’s a new scam on the rise in North Carolina that you should know about. Recently, Labor Commissioner Luke Farley and Attorney General Jeff Jackson called attention to the rise of employment scams that are targeting jobseekers who are looking for work. Bad actors posing as recruiters for a company or organization will use different mediums such as social media, text messaging, and even posting fake jobs on websites to lure in potential victims. Here are a few tips from the Better Business Bureau on how to avoid these kinds of scams:

• NEVER disclose your personal or banking information.
  
• Research the person who contacted you.
  
• Do more research on the company being advertised.
  
• Verify a job posting on a job board by looking for the position being advertised on the company’s website.

To learn more about these scams, click here. 

A Piece of American History

Recently, I joined other proud patriots at Dobson Town Hall for the town’s Tree of Liberty dedication to celebrate America’s 250^th anniversary. It was such a pleasure to join many wonderful people – and to hear such wonderful sentiments from other speakers such as Mayor Ricky Draughn who captured the importance of the event very well. As I mentioned to the attendees, it is because of our republic’s unwavering resolve, freedom, heritage, and history that we have reached this historic milestone. Over the course of 250 years, America has always defied expectations, and it will do so for countless years to come. 

To learn more about the event, click here. 

Quote of The Week

“I know of no pursuit in which more zeal & important service can be rendered to any Country than by improving its agriculture—its breed of useful animals—and other branches of a husbandman’s cares…”

-George Washington

Have a blessed weekend,