WASHINGTON, DC-U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) was today named Chair of the Production, Income Protection and Price Support Subcommittee of the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee. This is Senator Casey’s second subcommittee gavel.
“I am honored to chair a subcommittee that has so much importance to Pennsylvania family farmers and our agriculture economy,” said Senator Casey. “One of my top priorities is to hold a hearing on the crisis currently facing dairy farmers who are being driven out of business by the lowest milk prices in decades.”
The Production, Income Protection and Price Support Subcommittee has jurisdiction over legislation and oversight involving production of agricultural crops, commodities and products; farm and ranch income protection and assistance; commodity price support programs; insurance and risk protection; fresh water food production.
Senator Casey is also the Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Near Eastern and South and Central Asian Affairs.
As a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, Senator Casey played a key role in passing provisions vital for Pennsylvania agriculture, conservation and nutrition programs. He also supported reforms to save money and close loopholes while maintaining a real safety net for farmers when they need one.
In addition to his strong support for food stamps and other nutritional program in the Farm Bill, Senator Casey has been a strong advocate for increased assistance for food banks that have suffered shortages after being hit with rising food prices and increased demand during this economic downturn.
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