Agriculture

Today, Congressman Alcee L. Hastings (D-FL) sent the following letter to Speaker of the House Paul Ryan and House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, urging them to bring H.Res.401 to the house floor for a vote without delay. The resolution, which was reported favorably by the House Foreign Affairs Committee on November 15, 2017, urges all nations to end the dog and cat meat trade, and highlights the inherent cruelty of annual events like the Yulin Dog Meat Festival, which is set to begin on June 21... Read more

The Congressional Pollinator Protection Caucus, Co-Chaired by Representatives Alcee L. Hastings (D-FL) and Jeff Denham (R-CA), in cooperation with the Pollinator Partnership and the American Society of Landscape Architects, will host a briefing on the status of pollinator health and conservation actions. The briefing will take place on Wednesday, June 21, 2017 at 12:30 PM in room 340 of the Cannon House Office Building. The distinguished panel will include: Gene Brandi President, American Beekee... Read more

Congressman Alcee L. Hastings (D-FL), Co-Chairman of the House Sugar Caucus, released the following statement regarding the announced agreement in principle to suspend antidumping and countervailing duties against Mexican sugar imports into the United States: “The deal announced yesterday by Secretary of Commerce Ross and Mexican Secretary of Economy Guajardo is a step in the right direction. These types of deals are never easy, and I appreciate the hard work put in by the parties involved. “A n... Read more

Congressman Alcee L. Hastings (D-FL) released the following statement after introducing bipartisan legislation prohibiting the slaughter of dogs and cats for human consumption in the United States. Joining Hastings in introducing the legislation, which has been endorsed by The Humane Society of the United States and The Animal Hope and Wellness Foundation, were Representatives Vern Buchanan (R-FL), Dave Trott (R-MI), and Brendan F. Boyle (D-PA). (Please find a copy of the legislation attached.) ... Read more

Today, Representatives Alcee L. Hastings (D-FL) and Jeff Denham (R-CA), co-chairs of the Congressional Pollinator Protection Caucus, introduced the Highways Bettering the Economy and Environment Act, known as the Highways BEE Act. “As Co-Founder and Co-Chair of the Congressional Pollinator Protection Caucus, I am honored to once again introduce the Highways BEE Act,” Congressman Hastings said. “Through already existing authorities and funding sources, this bill will encourage the planting and cu... Read more

Congressmen Alcee L. Hastings (D-FL) and Vern Buchanan (R-FL), Co-Chairman of the Florida Congressional delegation will host a delegation meeting on Wednesday, March 18th at 8:30 AM on agricultural issues affecting Florida. The meeting is open to the public and will take place in room 2212 of the Rayburn House Office Building (House Armed Services Subcommittee Room). Confirmed panelists, include: • Mike Stuart, President, Florida Fruits and Vegetables Association • Michael W. Sparks, Executive V... Read more

Today, Congressman Alcee L. Hastings (D-FL) released the following statement after President Barack Obama announced the creation of a task force to promote the health of honey bees and other pollinators: “I am pleased that President Obama is taking the issue of pollinator loss seriously. Pollinators such as bees, birds, bats, and butterflies are vital to our food supply and the U.S. economy at large. The loss of pollinators has been severe and persistent in recent years and must be addressed. “I... Read more

Today, Congressman Alcee L. Hastings (D-FL) made the following statement in recognition of the 8th annual National Pollinator Week, which is celebrated from June 16 - 20, 2014: “As the co-founder and co-chairman of the Congressional Pollinator Protection Caucus, I am pleased to mark this year’s National Pollinator Week. Our nation continues to see an alarming decline in pollinators and we must do more to protect the birds, bats, bees, and butterflies that pollinate our food. “Seventy-five percen... Read more

Today, Representatives Alcee L. Hastings (D-FL) and Jeff Denham (R-CA), Co-Chairs of the Congressional Pollinator Protection Caucus, introduced the Highways Bettering the Economy and Environment Act, known as the Highways BEE Act (Legislation Attached): “I am pleased to introduce the Highways Bettering the Economy and Environment Act with my Co-Chairman of the Congressional Pollinator Protection Caucus, Representative Denham. This bi-partisan bill provides much-needed aid for the birds, bats, be... Read more

Today, Representatives Alcee L. Hastings (D-FL) and Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) sent the following letter to Congressman Collin Peterson, Ranking Democratic Member of the House Committee on Agriculture, and Senator Debbie Stabenow, Chairwoman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, opposing additional cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in the 2013 Farm Bill conference report. (Please see below and attached a copy of the letter). Joining Hastings and Johnson in signing ... Read more