Promoting Agriculture Safeguards and Security Act This week, during a House Agriculture Committee hearing, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack expressed support for my bill, the Promoting Agriculture Safeguards and Security (PASS) Act. The bill would address Communist China’s threats to America’s food supply by ensuring USDA is fully involved in reviewing our foreign adversaries’ acquisition of American agricultural land and businesses. In February, I introduced the PASS Act alongside Congresswoman Elise Stefanik (R-NY) and Congressman Jim Costa (D-CA). One of the components of this bill would add the Secretary of Agriculture as a standing member of the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) to consider agriculture needs when making determinations affecting our national security. I questioned Secretary Vilsack about the possibility of this role and he responded by saying, “Being a permanent member would allow us to educate the other members of CFIUS regarding what to look for and what to be sensitive to when it comes to agriculture and agricultural production.” American agriculture is a powerhouse. Our adversaries know this and have responded with furtive purchases of American farmland and theft of innovative agriculture research. I thank Secretary Vilsack for supporting our efforts to strengthen communications between USDA and our intelligence agencies, as well as his willingness to provide USDA expertise and information sharing capabilities to other agencies. It’s time to be proactive in addressing these threats to our food supply and to our producers.

Last night, violent tornadoes tore through Arkansas, including the city of Wynne, and left destruction and devastation in their wake. When tragedy strikes in our state, I am always encouraged by the number of first responders and volunteers who act swiftly to help those in need. My team and I are in contact with local and state officials, and my colleagues and I in the Arkansas congressional delegation will be working with federal officials to leverage federal resources to help residents and businesses get back on their feet. I will be heading to Wynne today to talk with residents and community leaders to get a better understanding of their most urgent needs. Stacy and I are continuing to pray for the families of those who were killed and all who were impacted by last night’s storms.

H.R. 1 – Lower Energy Costs Act – YEA Prohibits President Biden from banning hydraulic fracturing (fracking) Repeals all restrictions on the import and export of natural gas Repeals President Biden’s $6 billion natural gas tax that would increase energy bills for families Rolls back President Biden’s $27 billion EPA slush fund for special interest handouts Denounces President Biden’s canceling of the Keystone XL pipeline Requires the Department of the Interior to resume oil and gas lease sales on federal lands and waters Repeals harmful royalties and fee increases imposed on energy production that drive up prices for families Ensures parity in energy revenue sharing for states with onshore and offshore energy development Requires publication of the 2023-28 offshore oil and gas lease sales plan and sets deadlines for future 5-year plans

Land Line Magazine Infrastructure law implementation scrutinized at House hearing Oversight is not a Republican or Democratic issue. Congress must fulfill its duty to ensure the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act is being implemented as written and that resources are addressing our most pressing transportation infrastructure and supply chain needs.