Doe and Usda Interagency Research Act

Floor Speech

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Mr. LUCAS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1326, the DOE and USDA Interagency Research Act. This bill allows the Department of Energy and the Department of Agriculture to work together to improve how we grow our food, fiber, and fuel in America.

I introduced this bill in the last Congress with the help of the ranking member of the Science, Space, and Technology Committee, Ms. Lofgren. The measure passed with unanimous support through the committee and by voice vote on the House floor.

As a farmer and rancher myself, I am proud to sponsor this bill, which will help us address cross-cutting research challenges that will advance crop science, maximize carbon storage, enhance precision agriculture technologies, and much more.

DOE and USDA already have a successful track record of collaboration to mitigate invasive species, modernize the grid, address the energy- water nexus, develop biofuels, and improve agriculture operations.

DOE has some of our country's most advanced computing capacities, as well as world-class research facilities and a depth of scientific expertise.

These resources can be used to support the work being done by America's farmers and ranchers, ultimately strengthening our agricultural production.

This bill before us today is a smart, bipartisan legislation that codifies the partnership between DOE and USDA, ensuring that they can continue to work together on these interindustry challenges.

I thank Ms. Lofgren for working with me these past two Congresses on this bill, and I deeply appreciate her support of agricultural research. It is always a pleasure to be on the floor with Ms. Stevens from Michigan.

I urge all my colleagues to join us in supporting this bill.

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