Meat and Poultry Special Investigator Act of 2022

Floor Speech

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Mr. ROSE. Mr. Speaker, I want to make it clear: just because Democrats named their bill the Lower Food and Fuel Costs Act does not mean this bill will achieve that goal.

The only thing it really achieves is a campaign talking point for Democrats responding to constituents frustrated with higher prices at the grocery store and the gas station caused by their reckless spending.

Instead of wasting our valuable time debating this bill that will never become law, we should pass H.R. 8069, the Reducing Farm Input Costs and Barriers to Production Act, introduced by Ranking Member Thompson, which includes real, immediate solutions our farmers, ranchers, and producers support.

His bill, which I am proud to support, would reverse the EPA's reckless actions related to crop production tools, reverse the Biden administration's confusing and disastrous changes to the Waters of the United States rule, and would withdraw the SEC's ludicrous ESG rule on climate-related disclosures, an action that has received bipartisan support.

Mr. DAVID SCOTT of Georgia. Jackson Lee).

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, civilians and soldiers are dying in Ukraine and the American people are feeling it in their pocket, even as they rise up to support democracy. The American people know there is a problem.

As we stand on the floor today, the good news is that Democrats care. That is why we rise today to offer the Lower Food and Fuel Costs Act because the American people see it. They see it at the gas station on their way home or to work, they see it at the grocery store when their carts are half empty, and they see it with their hard-earned paychecks that don't meet what they need. Inflation--they know about it.

You know what, they are looking for a fighting team like the Democrats to make something happen, not a whining, complaining, get- nothing-done. In my community, the interest rates are 8.5 percent of the cost of goods in Houston, Texas. I am not going home and telling them that we are out here working. I ask for our colleagues to recognize the importance of lowering costs at the grocery store, ensuring robust competition, and helping farmers. Let us fight to pass this bill. We care.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 7606, the Lower Food and Fuel Costs Act, that would shore up the food and agriculture supply chain, assure fair competition in the meat and poultry sectors, and lower food and gasoline costs to the American consumer.

The American people know that there is a problem.

They see it.

They see it at the gas station on their way home from work.

They see it when they leave the grocery store with a half empty cart.

They see it when their hard-earned paychecks stretch less and less.

Inflation rose by 8.6 percent in May, a 40-year high.

The price of all goods in the Houston metro area have jumped by 8.5 percent since April 2021--the highest year-over-year jump since 1981.

My constituents aren't suddenly making 8.5 percent more than they did a year ago, mind you.

No, they are now going without.

The cost of the most basic commodities--electricity, oil, meats, and dairy--have gone up at alarming rates, and our people are disproportionately bearing the burden of inflation.

An income that previously fed and housed a family, provided life- supporting medication, and got people to work and back is now capable of paying only half of those bills.

Our constituents are forced to choose between picking up a prescription or paying for childcare, between keeping the lights on and keeping the pantry full.

These are not choices American families should have to make.

Congress must act to rebalance the financial scales in this country.

This package includes the following bills:

H.R. 7606--``Meat and Poultry Special Investigators Act'' which Establishes an Office of the Special Investigator for Competition Matters in the Agriculture Secretary's Office.

H.R. 7764--``To direct the Secretary of Agriculture to provide additional payments under the Environmental Quality Incentives Program for implementation of nutrient management practices'' which would provide additional assistance to specialty and row crop producers who undertake USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service practice standards to use fertilizers more efficiently, do soil testing, or seek out other sources of plant nutrients.

H.R. 2518--``PRECISE Act--Producing Responsible Energy and Conservation Incentives and Solutions for the Environment'' which explicitly states precision agriculture eligibility in Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP) and Conservation Stewardship Program, allows a producer who receives payments under EQIP to also receive a conservation loan guarantee, and allows up to a 90 percent cost share for precision agriculture under EQIP.

H.R. 1542--``Renewable Fuel Infrastructure Investment and Market Expansion Act of 2021'' which would deploy additional storage and dispensing equipment to ensure that higher ethanol blends and other biofuels are more readily available across the country.

H.R. 4410--``Year-Round Fuel Choice Act of 2021'' which would build on a recent Biden Administration action allowing voluntary year- round sale of gasoline containing 15 percent ethanol, know as E-15 or Unleaded 88.

H.R. 7675--``Strengthening the Agriculture and Food Supply Chain Act'' which would create an Agricultural and Food System Supply Chain Resilience and Crisis Response Task Force at USDA, headed by a Special Advisor on Supply Chain Resilience and Crisis Response.

H.R. 4140--``Butcher Block Act'' which would provide assistance to create new and expand current local and regional livestock and meat processing capacity with direct or guaranteed loans.

From the soil in which our farmers plant their seeds, to the fuel that transports vegetables to our grocers, to the very meat on our tables, this package will enact positive legislation that the American people will be able to see.

The spike in food and energy prices are at the center of inflation.

Beginning at the root, as producers across the country face skyrocketing fertilizer prices, we must help producers reduce their input costs so planting decisions are not impacted.

Expanding access to precision agriculture technology is critical now, as we face climate change and fertilizer costs that have doubled or almost tripled.

Breakdowns and bottlenecks in the food and agriculture supply chain, resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, have been well documented and have caused significant losses and concerns to our agricultural constituents.

Over the last few decades, there has been an influx of domination in the meat packing industry by four large companies resulting in raised prices and reduced options for products.

COVID-19 highlighted the country's dangerous reliance on large beef plants run by the four biggest processors.

The pandemic caused slaughterhouses nationwide to close to contain outbreaks of the virus among workers.

Ranchers were and still are frustrated that cattle prices drop when major plants close, while meat companies still benefit from rising meat prices.

Farmers' share of profits have gone down, while American consumers continue to pay more, with meat prices being the single largest contributor to the rising cost of food people consume at home.

A fair and competitive market is fundamental to a well-functioning U.S. economy.

When firms have to compete for customers, it leads to lower prices, higher quality goods and services, greater variety, and more innovation.

Strengthening enforcement of the Packer and Stockyards Act will lead to greater competition in the meat and poultry processing, fairer access to markets for producers, and more price stability for consumers.

Increased processing capacity will alleviate some supply chain bottlenecks and provide producers with more options to market their cattle and receive a fair price.

The supply chain will be more resilient and competitive long term as a result.

With regard to our energy and fuel crisis, further use of biofuels will reduce prices at the pump for all Americans and increase the supply of fuel available.

Biofuels adoption and investment helps reduce our reliance on foreign oil and the supply shocks facing our gasoline supply while also bolstering a revenue stream for farmers across the country.

E-10 gasoline, gasoline containing 10 percent ethanol, is currently sold year-round, while the sale of E-15 gasoline, gasoline containing 15 percent ethanol, is dependent on receiving special waivers despite both having very similar emission profiles when it comes to smog formation.

Year-round sale of gasoline containing 15 percent ethanol (E-15) will reduce the price at the pump for American drivers by giving consumers the choice to purchase a fuel that is substantially cheaper than standard gasoline.

The American people need legislative intervention in a market that is increasingly becoming more concentrated and suffering from supply chain disruptions.

This package provides small concrete actions that will invoke change and provide both short-term immediate and long-term continuous relief.

I urge all my colleagues to support H.R. 7606, the Lower Food and Fuel Cost Act.

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