Committees_Agriculture

**Section 01 (9:30): Slack, Ly**
The Committee on Agriculture plans to continue to accommodate for various regions with varied climates and products. They deal with issues such as: industrial chemistry, human nutrition and home economics, rural development, water conservation, inspection of livestock and products, dairy industry, international trade, renewable energy, disaster assistance and agricultural research, among other things. There are hearings and meetings that the public may attend.

History Committee on Agriculture was created on May 3, 1820. Agricultural states, mostly southern states are represented by the early seven members of the committee. By the 42nd congress the committee increased its members to 11. To the present day, it again increased up to 51 and it has up to five subcommittees.

The following is what falls under the jurisdiction of the Congressional Committee on Agriculture 111th Congress: H.R. 511: This is a bill that authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to get rid of certain easements held by the National Resource Conservation Service on land owned by the Village of Caseyville, Illinois, allowing the land to be used by the village for flood protection. H.R. 940: This bill that will provide for the delivery of 50 acres of National Forest System land in the State of Louisiana H.R. 1002: This bill will adjust the boundaries of the Pisgah National Forest in McDowell County, North Carolina, and authorize the purchase of privately held land by the U.S. Forest Service. H.R. 3175: This bill will give to Miami-Dade County certain federally owned land in Florida. H.R. 977: The Derivatives Markets Transparency and Accountability Act of 2009

The Committee on Agriculture established farm policy for agriculture and rural America in Washington D.C. Agriculture is becoming more and more important as farmers in the United States continue to produce food and other products for our country and for the world. There are a variety of issues this Committee deals with, such as renewable energy, rural development, disaster assistance, nutrition, crop insurance, conservation, international trade, futures market regulation, animal and plant health, agricultural research and development, bioterrorism, forestry and many others. The Committee faces the challenge of working together with and accommodating for different regions that differ in climate and products. The Committee wants to make sure that Americans continue to have access to the world's safest, most abundant food and agriculture products. They have public hearings and open meetings to discuss farm policy and legislation, and the public is welcome to attend these meetings. There is also public access to a listen live radio station.

Recent Happenings: -June 26, House passed H.R. 2454 the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009 -Subcommittee Field Hearing Reviews Federal Nutrition Programs -Peterson applauds USDA action to help struggling dairy farmers

Guesses about what would have been happening with the committee in 1945-1960 time period: -There are more people to feed in the United States and the world because of soldiers coming home and because of the United States rebuilding the Allies' economies. -The United States probably provided disaster assistance (providing food and products to the hungry) to the Allies. International trade probably went up. -The baby boom consisted of more births, therefore putting more demand on the Committee of Agriculture to produce and distribute more food.

Second Congress Answers: 1. Ship food overseas. Produce more food. Advertise products. Seek more markets from overseas, not only European markets, but all around the world wherever possible. 2. Short term, fertilizers are a good thing because they help increase products and quality. However, long term, fertilizers and pesticides will be harmful for the environment and will cause problems for the future. 3. Big farms are better, indeed. Since this monopoly of farm productions is nothing other than natural in our capitalist economic system, private interprises can, therefore, have an incentive to produce with utmost efficiency. Congress should address the two matters of agribusiness and rural poverty differently. 4. Congress can, in the economically sensible way, and without having to violate the principles of economic freedom in preventing deflation, by seeking to seal economic ties with other nations. And deflation as it has been known to have caused by the increase in supply goods and thus lower the demand and prices. In solving this question of deflation, the committee of agriculture proposes that the United States of America imposes upon the free world a free trade system so that our merchants can ship their products overseas. This would increase demand and thus the prices of our products at home. 5. As agriculture is monopolized by big corporations, and with new implementations of new agricultural tools and technologies, the rural population is forced off their farms and yielded to the hungry buying power of these large corporations. This is inevitable in such a capitalist society as ours. Modern technologies used in farming has tremendously reduced the need for farm labor and hence increased rural poverty. Our job as Congressmen and women here is to resolve the pressing issue of this rural plight. The committee of agriculture proposes that we jump start new housing projects, increase the hiring of civil engineers, and overall, increase government spending in all areas beneficial to this rural population. Construction projects and civil programs as such, would stimulate the economy and stimulate positive changes through out. 6. Congress should promote the trend of expanding of suburbia because it can partially solve the plight of urban crowded dwelling.

In 1965, Congress transformed the water facilities loan program into a loan and grant program for both water and waste disposal systems. The Talmadge-Aiken Act, adopted in 1962, was an effort to more closely coordinate federal and state laws that affected the flow of agriculture from the farm gate to the consumer. The law authorized the Secretary of Agriculture to enter into cooperative agreements with States to foster uniform administration of agricultural laws in general. The 1962 law was applied to meat in 1967 with passage of the Wholesome Meat Act, and to poultry the following year with passage of the Wholesome Poultry Products Act of 1968. The Food and Agriculture Act of 1965 extended most price-support and adjustment programs for a four year period with relatively few changes, except for cotton. Tobacco, peanuts, and rice remained under strict acreage controls. This Act was extended an additional year in 1968. During the late 1960s and 1970s, hunger lobby groups and their allies in the Congress made expanded food assistance a top priority. During this time, food stamps and other food programs grew rapidly. The first major child feeding law during this period was the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 which created a school breakfast program, offered schools support for food service equipment, specifically authorized a special milk program (first initiated in 1954) and provided States with administrative funding. In 1968, special meal programs for children in day care centers and summer camps were authorized. During the 91st Congress in 1969, the Committee held seven days of hearings on food stamps, school lunch and child nutrition programs. With price and income support controls moving toward voluntary involvement and more nutrition programs, the focus of the Agriculture Committee was moving toward social programs focused on urban America. But problems surrounding farmers' ability to make a living in rural America would continue to confront the Committee.
 * Issues from 1965-1969 for Agriculture Committee **

Congress day # 3: We proposed a Child Nutrition Act for school breakfasts for low income children. It did not go through because people did not want their taxes to be raised. I thought the making of the equal rights act was interesting and included some of the basic information in the actual Equal Rights Act. I am not sure if 25 years to life would be such a good idea for a punishment in violation of the act. Yes it would deter people from preventing people from voting but it may be too much of a severe penalty. Maybe a large fine might have a better effect on deterrence.

Congress day # 4 Man Ly On the question should President Nixon be indicted or not, My answer is that, he should be indicted. I don't think even the American value of tolerance can and should tolerate such an act committed by any President. Although the democratic principles of separation of powers and checks and balances had again demonstrated its effectiveness in safeguarding American democracy as intended by the framers of the Constitution, the American people should not, for the purpose of preserving democracy, forget this act by President Nixon. I think that by indicting him, Americans are in fact revealing their strong commitment to democracy, and serve as reminder for all Americans of later generations that "We the People" really are the government--and no single person should attempt any underhand political maneuver against the American democracy. This is not one of those days in the Roman politics when the Empire's public officials can resolve political problems by assassinations and trickery. As advanced a civilization Rome was, it was still subjected to a downfall, due in part to the political instability attributable to the underhand political practices by Roman officials. This is a Democratic Republic; that the people has every right to expect transparency and honesty from their elected officials. This is a matter of justice and a matter of the preservation of democracy. This is not the matter of party politics. The indictment and prosecution of citizen Nixon should unite Americans, and that it should not polarize Americans as some might say. And even if it does further divide Americans, it is a right thing to do.

Congress Day 4 Jackie Slack I think President Nixon should be indicted because he is not above the law. Letting Nixon go without penalty is unfair because if anyone else did the same thing he did, they would be in trouble. He should not be treated any differently. He cannot just avoid trouble by resigning. If he was not indicted, the Court would look bad for letting him off the hook for what he did. Others, in the future could do the same thing or do something similar to what Nixon did and claim that since Nixon was not punished, they should not be either. It sets a bad example. Just because Nixon was a president, does not give him impunity. Giving him impunity would not be just. The only reason I can think of why Nixon should not be indicted is because he was already publicly humiliated. However, he brought it upon himself and he should be punished. It is not enough for him to just resign and escape all other punishment.

Congress day 5

Jackie Slack, Mann Ly

Darft of Health Care Bill

Be it enacted by the House of Congress of the United States of America in Congress Assembled that Preamble: Right now the number of uninsured residents of America has grown to 45 million. Healthcare is becoming increasingly unaffordable. Our country is in dire need of healthcare reform. Body: The Enactment Clause: Different sections and provisions of the new health care law will take effect at a different time whenever it will be fit and appropriate, as soon as it is passed.
 * 1) We will introduce new reforms such as
 * 2) Utilizing technology to make the process of healthcare faster, easier and more efficient.
 * 3) Developing a national database that makes diagnoses and treatment for doctors easier.
 * 4) The bill will help doctors' focus on the healing of the patient rather than on the patient’s economic issues about insurance.
 * 5) Health insurance companies will not be able to cancel healthcare services for people who have preexisting conditions. Insurance companies shall not be allowed to have access to patients’ medical histories and medical charts due to potential corruption within the insurance company.
 * 6) The bill will create a single national health service for all citizens of the United States.
 * 7) We will no longer be the only industrialized nation to extend its citizens national healthcare.
 * 8) It will offer healthcare to the uninsured and improve the healthcare coverage of the people who are already insured.

Mann, I sent this Draft of the Healthcare Bill to Professor Hangen on Monday 4/5/2010. If you needed to add something to it, just send her an updated version if you after you add to it. :)

Congress Day 6 and 7: We discussed/debated proposed bills in committees. Nutrition, Drug Law, Prisons, English primary language, etc.

**Section 06 (10:30): Gouin, Rantala**
The Congressional Committee on Agriculture is made up of the United States House Committee on agriculture and the United States Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. Both of these committees oversee federal agriculture policies and some federal agencies as well. The United States House Committee on Agriculture has a more defined jurisdiction, which includes but in not limited to:
 * Agricultural economics and research
 * Education services (affiliation with colleges as well)
 * The dairy industry
 * Soil and water conservations
 * Farm credit and farm security

The United States Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry has a more narrowed jurisdiction, which includes:
 * Rural Revitalization, Conservation, Forestry, and Credit
 * Energy, science, and technology
 * Domestic and foreign marketing, inspection, and plant and animal health
 * Production, income protection, and price support
 * Hunger, nutrition, and Family Farms

__**Current Agenda:**__

1300 Longworth House Office Building Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities and Risk Management - Public Hearing RE: To review implementation of changes to the Commodity Exchange Act contained in the 2008 Farm Bill.
 * Thursday, February 11 - 10:00 a.m.**

Jan. 2010 Subcommittee Field Hearing Reviews Federal Nutrition Programs: Obesity: “Obesity related health spending has doubled in the past decade to reach a high of $147 billion annually,” Chairman Baca said. “If nothing is done to change this trajectory, it is estimated obesity will cost our nation $1 trillion by the year 2030. We must act decisively to stop this oncoming crisis and create healthier communities across our nation. Today’s hearing was an excellent opportunity to hear from experts at the local, state, and national level on ways to increase participation rates for nutrition programs and to better educate the public on healthy lifestyles.”

__**2nd Meeting: Truman-era Issues:**__
 * 1) Congress can ship the excess food over seas to hungry people (Agricultural Act 1949) or to European markets to make a better profit. Congress can also look into acreage controls and marketing quotas.
 * 2) The Commodity Credit Corporation Charter Act on June 28, 1948 focuses on providing funds and credit to farmers from the Commodity Credit Corporation. This way farms could be running at maximum to feed not only America but allied nations from the war. Larger farms produce more food.
 * 3) The Agricultural Act of 1949 became the backing source of commodity programs. In the previous year, 1948, mandatory price level supports became a center of legislation. Marketing quotas and acreage allotments were also taken into consideration in order to keep commodity prices from falling. This, combined with a gradual lifting of tariffs and non-tariffs barriers were thought to support price levels.
 * 4) School Lunches for children across the nation and of little or no charge for those who can't afford the cost.
 * 1) School Lunches for children across the nation and of little or no charge for those who can't afford the cost.

-Consolidated Farmers Home Administration Act of 1961 - this act helped to expand loans to farmers to use for recreational and other non-agricultural enterprises to supplement family incomes. -Agricultural Act of August 8, 1961 - dealt with water system programs for rural towns. In 1965 this was expanded by Congress to the water facilities loan program into a loan and grant program for both water and waste disposal systems. These expansions helped to create jobs and stimulated local businesses and industries on rural areas. -Wholesome Meat Act 1967/ Wholesome Poultry Products Act of 1968 - These acts raised the intrastate inspection of meat and poultry and limited imported meat. -McIntyre-Stennis Act 1962 - provided college training and funding in scientific ways of studying forestry. -Feed Grain Adjustment Act 1961 - Under the Kennedy Administration this act came into effect because of the excess grain surplus. This act provided for a voluntary feed grain adjustment program and it added mandatory marketing quotas for wheat. This meant that voluntary act meant that for those who complied in the adjustment program received marketing certificates for about 40 percent of normal production on their allotted acres. -Food Stamp Act of 1964 - this allowed for low income families to to use coupons in retail stores to buy food that was healthier. By 1965 this program was at $60 million but only met the basic needs of only about 1/2 million people. -Child Nutrition Act of 1966 - This act created a school breakfast program and provided states with the necessary funding to do so.
 * __3rd Meeting 3/3 1960's:__**

"During the 91st Congress in 1969, by contrast, the Committee held seven days of hearings on food stamps, school lunch and child nutrition programs. With price and income support controls moving toward voluntary involvement and more nutrition programs, the focus of the Agriculture Committee was moving toward social programs focused on urban America. But problems surrounding farmers' ability to make a living in rural America would continue to confront the Committee."

This was an issue because every sub committee at this time was led by someone from a southern state and the Agricultural Committee itself was comprised of mostly people from the south and mid-west.

Article 1 - I would vote for this article because I believe that there was enough evidence to charge Nixon with every part of this article. Article 2 - I would vote for this article because by believing that he had obstructed justice, as stated in Article 1, then Nixon was not upholding the Constitution and was abusing his power to gain re-election and cover up his acts, because of his position of power. Article 3 - I would vote for this article because there was not doubt that Nixon would not hand over information that was necessary for Congress to carry out their investigation. Nixon failed to be trust worthy and tried to exercise his power to keep information from Congress. Article 4 - I would vote against this article because I do not find it to be enough to remove Nixon from office. Article 5 - I would vote against this article (because I honestly do not know enough to make a decision) and because he did end up withdrawing troops from East Asia.
 * __4th Congress Meeting: How would I vote on the articles to Impeach Nixon?__**


 * Jaworski** - (Emily Rantala) I believe that no one is above the law, and therefore I believe that Richard Nixon should have be held accountable in the eyes of the law. Just because someone was a president does not give them the right to get away with committing criminal acts. Jaworski does make a good argument that trying Nixon could further divide the country which is why I also believe that every other member of the white house that was convicted or was found guilty in having a hand in the Watergate Scandal should also be tried, so as to not let anyone person get away with obstructing justice.


 * For 2/10 - consider the following Truman-era issues:**

Farmers are producing more food than American consumers can buy. What can Congress do about that? Should the government subsidize farmers for intensive chemical fertilizers and pesticides? Are big farms better? Should Congressional policy support large “factory” farms? How can Congress keep commodity prices from falling, which hurts American farmers? What shall Congress do about decreasing population and increasing poverty in rural America? Is the conversion of farmland into suburbs a trend that Congress should promote?

Here are instructions on what to do with those questions and how to prepare for Wed 2/10.