• House Financial Services Committee Chairman Barney Frank and House Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin C. Peterson released a concept paper on July 30 that will guide the two committees as they develop legislation to regulate derivatives. The text of the concept paper can be viewed by clicking here.
• On July 10, the House Agriculture Committee and the House Financial Services Committee held a joint hearing to examine the regulation of over-the-counter derivatives. The witness for the joint hearing was Treasury Secretary Timothy F. Geithner. The opening statement for Secretary Geithner can be viewed on the Statements page. The press release of the hearing can be viewed in the News Room.
• On June 26, the House passed H.R. 2454, the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009. The press release about the bill’s passage and its agricultural provisions is available here. Legislative language for the agricultural amendment that was incorporated into the House-passed bill is available by clicking here.
• The compilation of responses to the House Agriculture Committee’s Climate Change Questionnaire have been published. the compliation is broken in two parts and they can be accessed on the Publications page.
• On February 12, the House Agriculture Committee passed H.R. 977, the Derivatives Markets Transparency and Accountability Act of 2009, by voice vote. Information about the bill, including bill language and summaries, can be found on the Legislation page.
• More info about the Farm Bill, including complete conference report language and fact sheets, can be found on the Farm Bill Homepage.

A Message from Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin C. Peterson

In 2008, The U.S. House of Representatives and the United States Senate overrode the President’s veto for 14 of the 15 titles of the Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008, a groundbreaking bill that invests in improved nutrition, conservation, renewable energy and farm programs and includes significant reforms. The new Farm Bill garnered the support of more than one thousand farm, specialty crop, conservation, nutrition, consumer and religious organizations.

The Farm Bill Homepage on the House Agriculture Committee website has detailed the development of the Farm Bill from the beginning of the legislative process. This page contains information about the new law, legislative language, fact sheets on each title, and additional information about how the new Farm Bill will impact farm, nutrition, conservation, and energy policy.

Every American who eats should recognize the importance of farm and nutrition policy in everyday life. The Farm Bill ensures that all Americans have access to a safe, secure and inexpensive food supply and provides a safety net for farmers and ranchers. It also authorizes important nutrition programs, encourages environmentally friendly conservation programs, and supports the development of agriculturally based renewable energy, which will help to reduce our dependence on foreign oil.

Live audio and video access to all public hearings and business meetings held by the House Agriculture Committee will be streamed online here.

Most Recent News

• House Agriculture CommitteeChairman Applauds USDA Efforts to Ease Dairy Crisis …read more
• Subcommittee Reviews Watershed Proposals …read more