Farm Bill

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On May 15th, 2013, the House Agriculture Committee passed the Federal Agriculture Reform and Risk Management Act of 2013 (Farm Bill) by a bipartisan vote of 36-10.

Rep. Noem voted for the legislation, which saves almost $40 billion and makes farm and nutrition programs more accountable to American taxpayers.

Noem worked to include policies that are important to South Dakota, such as livestock disaster programs, forestry provisions to help fight the pine beetle, conservation provisions and a permanent Office of Tribal Relations within the Department of Agriculture. 

Rep. Noem championed four main provisions in the House version of the Farm Bill, all of which were included in some form in the final version approved by the Committee. They include: 

  • Livestock Disaster Protection Act: Would extend the Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP), the Livestock Forage Program (LFP), and the Emergency Livestock Assistance Program (ELAP) for the life of the Farm Bill as well as provide coverage for the current fiscal year, since the programs expired in 2011.
  • Protect our Prairies Act: Would encourage conservation of native sod and grassland, save taxpayer dollars and protect the habitat of wildlife critical to South Dakota’s hunting industry.
  • National Forest Emergency Response Act: Would streamline processes to get boots on the ground faster for pine beetle mitigation efforts.
  • USDA Office of Tribal Relations: Would permanently establish an Office of Tribal Relations within the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to help improve communication between USDA and Tribal nations. This provision would not cost taxpayers any additional dollars and instead requires USDA to use existing resources to establish the office.

Rep. Noem spoke in support of an amendment to prohibit the USDA and other federal agencies from releasing producers' and ranchers' personal information.

WATCH: Rep. Noem Speaks in Favor of Gibbs Amendment

Rep. Noem spoke up on behalf of the farmers and ranchers affected by the Pautre Fire in northwestern South Dakota.

WATCH: Rep. Noem Speaks in Favor of Supporting Pautre Fire Farmers and Ranchers  

Rep. Noem spoke in support of the humane treatment of horses and horse processing.

WATCH: Rep. Noem Speaks in Opposition of Horse Slaughter Amendment

The bill awaits action on the House Floor.

112th Congress

On July 12, 2012, the House Agriculture Committee passed the Federal Agriculture Reform and Risk Management Act of 2012, commonly known as the Farm Bill, by a bipartisan vote of 35-11. Rep. Noem voted for the legislation, which saved more than $35 billion and made farm and nutrition programs more accountable to American taxpayers.

WATCH: Rep. Noem speaks in favor of her pine beetle amendment.

WATCH: Rep. Noem speaks in support of her amendment to permanently establish an Office of Tribal Relations within USDA.

WATCH: Rep. Noem speaks in support of amendment to require USDA to do more homework before closing FSA offices.