Press Releases

After successful passage of H.R. 2, The Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, (commonly known as the Farm Bill) Congressman Matt Cartwright highlighted the gains achieved, especially for those in Northeast Pennsylvania.

Wednesday the combined conference report passed the House with a vote of 369-47. It weds the needs of both rural and urban communities to ensure the bill reflects the breadth of America.

The Farm Bill upholds congressional obligations to the nearly 39 million Americans who are food-insecure. It preserves current benefits for millions of children, seniors and students, 1.5 million veterans, 23,000 servicemembers, individuals with disabilities and hard-working families who rely on this lifeline.

It also provides certainty to the 16 million men and women who work in agriculture amid a trade war and a lagging farm economy. This Farm Bill makes investments in rural communities by increasing funding for agriculture research, organic and specialty crops, broadband, and energy initiatives, while protecting vulnerable ecosystems. 

“This bill will provide stability to our dairy farmers during what have become uncertain times,” said Rep. Cartwright. “Additionally, it helps small Pennsylvania dairy farmers by making it less expensive to enroll in Dairy Margin Coverage, providing more flexible coverage at a lower cost.”

The Farm Bill also allows for the full cultivation and transport of hemp under the Controlled Substances Act, which will help build upon the growing industrial hemp industry in Pennsylvania.   

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