Pictured in the back row from L-R: Alicia Rockwell, Chuck Conner, Jamie Johansson, Jon Marthedal, Andrei Mikhalevsky, Daniel Bays, Michael Dykes, Colby Pereira, Emily Rooney & Veronica Nigh. Front row from L-R: Sue Taylor, Sen. Dianne Feinstein & Sara Neagu-Reed.
Ag Council Visits Capitol Hill to Urge Passage of USMCA
Ag Council President Emily Rooney participated in an advocacy fly-in to Capitol Hill in Washington, DC as part of an effort this week by the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives (NCFC) and other agricultural groups to build further momentum for Congress to consider the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) this year. USMCA enables food and agriculture to trade more fairly and expands opportunities for exports of U.S. agricultural products.
The group of agricultural leaders comprised farmers, cooperatives and trade association advocates alike and attendees emphasized the significance of USMCA to California. Canada and Mexico are critical markets for California, and our state’s agricultural exports to the two nations alone totaled $6.6 billion last year.
Rooney said, “A highlight of the trip was meeting with U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-California). She spoke of her support for USMCA and of her commitment to urge House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-San Francisco) to move USMCA out of the House of Representatives this fall in order to secure passage in both houses before 2020.”
The advocacy effort lays the groundwork for the agricultural community to continue to vocalize support for USMCA when representatives are in their districts during Congress’ six-week recess, which begins today. The goal is to urge Congress to consider USMCA before the end of the year.
It’s Podcast Friday!
Special Report: A Look at SB 1
It’s Podcast Friday! Listen to the latest Capitol Farm Connection podcast where Ag Council’s team discusses SB 1, which is a measure in the California State Legislature intended to protect California’s environmental and labor standards from federal changes by freezing Obama-era environmental and labor policies in place.
The bill could upend ongoing efforts to implement science-based decision-making at the state level with regard to water supplies and the protection of ecosystems. Ag Council is working with a broad coalition advocating for amendments to address these and other concerns.
Simply click HERE to listen to the episode.
For links to all of Ag Council’s podcasts, click HERE. Capitol Farm Connection podcasts can also be found anytime on Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio, Spotify, and Pocket Casts.