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Shining Light on Farm & Food Policy for 20 Years.
Monday, May 13, 2024
This week's guest on Open Mic is US Senator Heidi Heitkamp. As an outspoken advocate for agriculture and rural America, the North Dakota Democrat was instrumental in crafting the 2014 farm bill and now has proposed legislation to address uncertainty over renewable fuels and waters of the US as well as expanding trade with Cuba. In this interview Senator Heitkamp shares her thoughts on food labeling and outlines senate debate over Trade Promotion Authority for President Obama. While trade dominates the legislative agenda this week, Heitkamp hopes for timely action on the highway trust fund, the export-import bank and national security issues.
This week's guest on Open Mic is Minnesota US Representative Collin Peterson. In this interview Peterson discusses his position on Trade Promotion Authority for the Obama administration and the dangers of change to the nation's crop insurance program. The House Ag Committee Ranking Member thinks environmentalists have control of the White House and favors congressional action to thwart implementation of the new EPA Clean Water definition
This week's Open Mic guest is Michigan US Senator Debbie Stabenow. As Ranking Member on the Senate Agriculture Committee Stabenow says she's concerned about the budget process and is ready to defend the agriculture policy she and others worked so hard to approve. Stabenow says she wants to export products not jobs. In this interview, she shares her reservations about granting Trade Promotion Authority for the administration and her support for expanding trade with Cuba.
Our guest on Open Mic is US Senator John Hoeven. As a strong advocate for agriculture and rural issues, the North Dakota Republican supports enhanced global trade and opposes government regulatory overreach. In this interview, Hoeven discusses his plan for providing flexibility for school nutrition standards and thoughts for providing funding for a long term highway bill.
This week's guest on Open Mic is Senate Minority Whip Dick Durbin. The Illinois Democrat sees promise in the opening weeks of the 114th Congress. Senator Durbin says more open floor debate may lead to compromise on complex issues including trade and nutrition, however, he believes tax reform and immigration may be too divisive for this Congress to resolve. During this in-depth interview, he also offers interesting perspective on crop insurance, estate taxes, GMO labeling, the Renewable Fuel Standard and the EPA.
Our guest on Open Mic this week is U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell. Congressional leaders return to Washington this week with an agenda bordered by trade, appropriations and a pushback against overregulation. The Kentucky Republican sees opportunity to work with the Obama administration on Trade Promotion Authority and cyber-security legislation, but expects push back over regulations that GOP leaders will try to repeal through a series of policy riders on appropriations bills.
