Agriculture

Congressman Alcee L. Hastings (D-FL) and Congressman Rodney Davis (R-IL), Co-Chairs of the Congressional Pollinator Caucus, led a letter to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Sonny Perdue requesting he include beekeepers and honey producers as eligible for financial relief under the USDA’s Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP). CFAP is funded by the coronavirus relief aid packages passed by Congress, including the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) a... Read more

Congressman Alcee L. Hastings (D-FL) led a bipartisan letter to Jovita Carranza, Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), calling for the SBA to allow small farms which would qualify as small businesses to be eligible to apply for Emergency Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) relief, in light of the uncertainty and economic toll that the COVID-19 pandemic is causing for business. During a time where supply chains are disrupted, it is particularly important to support farms that ar... Read more

Congressman Alcee L. Hastings (D-FL) sent the following letter to the Secretary of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Sonny Perdue III, expressing deep concern with the ongoing unlivable and unlawful housing conditions present in the Okeechobee/Osceola Centers. Furthermore, the letter urges immediate action from the USDA to ensure safe and sanitary housing for the residents in compliance with local, state and federal laws. These properties are privately owned by the Belle Glade ... Read more

Today, Congressman Alcee L. Hastings reintroduced the Wildlife Veterinarians Employment and Training Act of 2019 (Wildlife VET Act), legislation to increase the quality of job opportunities for individuals seeking a career in wildlife and zoological veterinary research or medicine, spur job growth, incentivize students to enter the field, and promote robust public health policy. Joining Hastings as original cosponsors include: Representatives Nanette Diaz Barragán (D-CA), David Cicilline (D-RI),... Read more

Congressman Alcee L. Hastings (D-FL) released the following statement on the passage of the conference report to H.R. 2, the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, by a vote of 369-47: “Yesterday, the House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed a strong and bipartisan Farm Bill, which included much needed support for our nation’s farmers, life-saving programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), conservation efforts, and important animal welfare provisions. The sugar progr... Read more

Today, Congressman Alcee L. Hastings (D-FL), along with Representatives Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL), Brendan F. Boyle (D-PA), James P. McGovern (D-MA), Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), Donald S. Beyer Jr. (D-VA), and Salud Carbajal (D-CA) sent the following letter to the Secretary of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Sonny Perdue III, urging common sense reforms which promote the humane treatment of farm animals and the responsible use of taxpayer dollars in the Farm Service Agency’... Read more

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