As the 119th Congress begins, the American Sugar Alliance (ASA) congratulates both the new and returning leaders of the Senate and House Agriculture Committees: Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman John Boozman (R-AR) and Ranking Member Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), as well as House Agriculture Committee Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson (R-PA-15) and Ranking Member Angie Craig (D-MN-02).
“At a time when so much is at stake for American agriculture, we welcome the leadership of these lawmakers who understand the challenges facing our family farmers and are committed to a vibrant U.S. sugar industry,” said Jack Pettus, Chairman of ASA. “As input costs rise and financial pressures intensify, support for our sugarbeet and sugarcane farmers is more important than ever. We look forward to working with both committees to ensure American sugar production stays strong—and stays in America.”
The U.S. sugar industry supports more than 151,000 jobs and generates more than $23 billion in annual economic impact. Sugarbeet and sugarcane farmers depend on a strong safety net that helps them reliably supply around 75 percent of our domestic sugar needs.
“We know that these leaders recognize the urgency of passing a new five-year Farm Bill,” Pettus continued. “Farmers can’t afford more short-term extensions that create uncertainty and make it harder to plan for the future.”
ASA is committed to working with both the Senate and House Agriculture Committees to ensure that a five-year Farm Bill is passed and includes policies to strengthen the safety net for sugarbeet and sugarcane farmers.