Meat and Poultry Special Investigator Act of 2022

Floor Speech

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Mrs. CAMMACK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition to H.R. 7606, the higher food and increased fuel costs act.

I just cannot believe that at a time when we Americans all are paying more for everything, from gas, groceries, energy, and beyond, my colleagues on the left want more regulation and more government intervention. They want to blame Putin and the war in Ukraine, but they don't want to accept responsibility for the very policies that are helping drive these increased costs.

If the last year has taught us anything, Mr. Speaker, it is that Big Government with a one-size-fits-all approach of spending into oblivion does not work. It turns out, shockingly, that taking cues from the Easter Bunny doesn't work.

Look at the facts: fuel, 106 percent up; eggs, 32 percent increase; fresh and frozen chicken, up 19.3 percent; milk, up 15.9 percent; bacon, up 15.6 percent; baby food, up almost 13 percent. Oh, by the way, we can't find it. Let's talk about that.

Right now, our farmers--and I know this for a fact because I come from a rural producing district--have their backs up against a wall. With skyrocketing prices for inputs like fertilizer, fuel, and feed, many of our producers are now reaching a breaking point.

This administration, however, seems hellbent on pushing them over the edge. The regulatory regime at the EPA--and I use that word deliberately--threatens the very livelihood of our producers and the long-term food security of our Nation. Everyone in this room can agree that food security is national security, and it is dangerous policy what the left is doing in taking out our producers.

Now, it seems as if they are more focused on Green New Deal policies, and our districts will never be the same if we continue down this path. Any sort of tax or additional regulation is increasing the costs to produce fuel and produce our food.

This is a time when Americans, keep in mind, are making decisions between gas or groceries, and we are seriously up here talking about increasing costs for fuel and food? Give me a break.

We need to slam the brakes on any policy that empowers more government bureaucrats and impoverishes the people.

We need to ensure that the EPA does not threaten the future of our producers with such ridiculous, out-of-touch policies. I know that many of my colleagues, particularly in leadership, have not filled up a gas tank in probably 40 years, but I have. Two days ago, I paid over $5 per gallon of gas. That is what Americans are facing. We need to stop empowering these bureaucrats.

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Mrs. CAMMACK. Mr. Speaker, if we adopt my motion to recommit, I will instruct the Committee on Agriculture to add my amendment that would prohibit the EPA from regulating or taxing emission from livestock.

Mr. Speaker, I ask all of my colleagues to support the motion to recommit.

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Mrs. CAMMACK. Mr. Speaker, I have a motion to recommit at the desk.

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Mrs. CAMMACK. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

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