Farmers to Benefit From China Trade Deal

Floor Speech

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Mr. ARRINGTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of President Trump's effort to hold China accountable for its unfair trade practices, and I commend him and Ambassador Lighthizer on achieving the first phase of resetting that relationship.

For years, China has been taking advantage of American manufacturers and producers through currency manipulation, state ownership, stealing our intellectual property, and other unfair and unseemly behavior.

The bottom line is this, Mr. Speaker: They have been cheating Americans, and politicians have let them get away with it for far too long.

Joining me in this historic gallery today are 27 of the hardest working, God-fearing farmers in west Texas. Cochran, Lubbock, and Bailey Counties are represented here today. They know all too well the disastrous results of this trade imbalance with China.

President Trump loves the American farmer, and thanks to his hard- fought negotiations, producers from the South Plains and across the country will reap the benefit of China's new commitment to purchase up to $50 billion in U.S. agriculture products. That is nearly twice the amount ever purchased by China.

These farmers can attest that the pain from China's retaliatory tariffs is real, resulting in higher input costs, lower commodity prices, and a significant decline in market share in one of our largest export markets.

All of this has come on the heels of record bankruptcies and the steepest decline in farm income since the Great Depression, but our farmers stand with this President because they know he is doing the right thing. They know he is fighting for them, and they also understand that when we get to the other side of this deal, there will be greener pastures for the next generation of farmers and ranchers.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to represent the food, fuel, and fiber capital of the world in west Texas. These cowboys and plowboys who feed and clothe the American people, and fuel the American economy, are a picture of America's traditional values of hard work, faith in God, and love for their families and fellow man, which, by the way, is the real substance of what makes America great.

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of them, I thank the American people for their support through these tough times, and I thank President Trump for putting America first and fighting for a better future for the American farmer.

God bless, and go west Texas. Remembering Lubbock First Responders

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Mr. ARRINGTON. Mr. Speaker, this is a very solemn moment for me and all west Texans. On Saturday morning, west Texas lost two of our finest and bravest first responders.

Lieutenant David Hill of Lubbock Fire Rescue and 27-year-old Lubbock Police Officer Nicholas Reyna were responding to a rollover accident when they lost their lives in the line of duty. A 30-year-old firefighter and paramedic, Matt Dawson, was also injured and remains in critical condition.

This is a tragic reminder that our heroic first responders wake up every single day and risk their lives to keep us safe. These men understood the sacred call to service. They gave the ultimate sacrifice and demonstrated the greatest love for their fellow man.

The Holy Scripture says this: ``There is no greater love than this, than to lay down your life for your friends.'' May God welcome these earthly heroes into His heavenly kingdom. May He comfort the Reyna and Hill families. May He grant Matt a speedy and full recovery. May He continue to bless and keep those who keep watch over us.

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