Costa Votes to Lower Food and Fuel Costs

Press Release

Congressman Jim Costa (CA-16) released the following statement after he voted to pass H.R. 7606 -- Lower Food and Fuel Costs Act legislation that will bolster the food and agriculture supply chain, ensure fair competition in the meat and poultry sectors, and lower food and gasoline costs for American consumers.

"Congress must help lower rising costs to consumers," Costa said. "No American should have to pick between filling up their gas tank or putting food on their dinner table. By helping farmers lower costs, reducing supply chain impacts, and expanding fuel sources, we can alleviate extra costs that are getting passed on to consumers."

The Lower Food and Fuel Costs Act does the following:

- Reduces input costs on fertilizer and improves access to precision agriculture practices.
- Establishes an Agricultural and Food System Supply Chain Resilience and Crisis Response Task Force at USDA to evaluate Federal, State, and local laws and regulations that increase or decrease the stability of the food and agriculture supply chain.
- Expands biofuels investments to reduce our reliance on foreign oil and provide alternative options for American consumers.
- Deploys additional storage and dispensing equipment to increase the supply of ethanol blends and other biofuels across the country.
- Provides producers with the chance to receive reimbursement for their costs in creating and implementing a nutrient management plan through the Environmental Quality and Incentives Program (EQIP), a voluntary, conservation program that can provide financial and technical assistance to install conservation practices that address natural resource concerns in our Valley.
- Alleviates supply chain bottlenecks in the cattle market to ensure a level playing field.
- Creates a grant program to conduct activities that expand livestock and meat processing capacity, and strengthen the economic viability of existing processors.

Source