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Shining Light on Farm & Food Policy for 20 Years.
Tuesday, April 16, 2024
This week’s guest on Open Mic is U.S. Senator John Boozman. As the U.S. Congress returns to Capitol Hill this week, the Arkansas Republican expects much attention will be devoted to the appropriations process with a view of accomplishing the major work on spending bills before the end of the fiscal year. In this week’s interview, Senator Boozman shares his view on crafting federal rules on GMO food labeling, funding sources for the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, the need for fair trade agreements and calls for flexibility in child nutrition standards. Senator Boozman says the appointment of a Supreme Court nominee adds to the agenda of the race for the White House in 2016.
This week’s guest on Open Mic is US Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell. In this exclusive interview, the Kentucky Republican shares a very dismal view for approving a new trade agreement this year and his plans to see the appropriations process complete under regular order. McConnell shares his frustration with the Obama administration’s environmental agenda and thoughts on finding a compromise on federal preemption legislation to prevent state labeling laws on foods with ingredients from genetically enhanced crops.
This week’s guest is Alabama 4th District Representative Robert Aderholt, who chairs the House Appropriations subcommittee on agriculture. In this week’s interview, Aderholt discusses his views on how appropriators addressed issues like SNAP benefits, rural development, sodium restrictions, additional testing for antibiotics in livestock production, crop insurance and funds to educate consumers on genetically engineered crops - and some of the challenges ahead when the bill hits the House floor, perhaps as early as next month.
This week's Open Mic features U.S. Trade Ambassador Michael Froman and Kevin Kester, a California beef producer and vice president of the National Cattlemen's Beef Association. In this interview, Froman and Kester layout what they say are the short- and long-term advantages of the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement. Ambassador Froman talks about the effect TPP will have on China and potential consequences of failing to ratify the trade deal. Froman and Kester also preview the next round of trade discussions with Europe in the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership talks later this month in New York.
Jeff Nalley
US Trade Ambassador Michael Froman and Kevin Kester, VP NCBA
This week’s guest on Open Mic is Shirley Bloomfield, CEO of NTCA-The Rural Broadband Association. The Federal Communications Commission followed last year’s designation of broadband as a utility with additional support for internet service providers to bring communications to a larger section of rural America. In this week’s interview, Bloomfield discusses the complicated decisions involved with providing greater broadband access to farmers, rural businesses, schools, hospitals and more. But big questions remain on who supports those new revenue streams and if funding caps will allow companies to maintain affordable service for rural residents.
Jeff Nalley
Shirley Bloomfield, CEO of NTCA - Rural Broadband Assoc.
This week’s guest on Open Mic features Kendal Frazier, CEO of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association. In this informative interview, Frazier responds to the challenges presented by the EPA’s WOTUS rules and how new ozone standards can be a detriment to land management. On trade, Frazier says the TPP agreement must be ratified by Congress to maintain markets and gain access to the globe’s growing middle class. Frazier shares thoughts on a voluntary COOL proposal, the need for congressional action on endangered species laws and the ongoing effort with the CME group to address market volatility.
Jeff Nalley
Kendal Frazier, CEO of National Cattlemen's Beef Assoc.
