Congresswoman Mary Miller Provides Farm Bill Update; Seeks Input (2024)

As one of the few family farmers left in Congress, I understand the challenges faced by those who work tirelessly to feed and fuel our nation. Rising input costs, higher diesel prices, and historic inflation are making it increasingly difficult for farmers to survive.Food security is national security, which is why American farmers need a Farm Bill that supports crop insurance and the farm risk safety net.

I recently introduced thePreserving America’s Farmland Act, which would force the Department of Agriculture to assess the impacts that solar panel installations, operation, and decommissioning have on the health of farm soil, livestock, water drainage, and vegetation. I am very concerned with America’s prime farmland being covered with solar panel installations.

Food security is national security, and if we cover our prime soil with solar panels, we will become dependent on our adversaries to feed American families.Protecting America’s farmland is crucial to protecting production agriculture, and I am excited that the 2024 Farm Bill will include concepts from Preserving America’s Farmland Act to estimate the loss of agriculture production on farmland due to solar panel installation.

During the Farm Bill markup on May 23rd, I plan to offer an amendment to close the loophole that allows THC cannabis to be marketed to children and teenagers under the definition of hemp. We must stop teenagers and young children from being exposed addictive and harmful drugs.

I recently questioned Department of Education Secretary Miguel Cardona about the Biden administration’s finalized Title IX rule, which allows biological males to enter women and girls’ private spaces. Secretary Cardona is ignoring his duty under Title IX’s original intent to protect women and girls’ sports and their safety in private spaces like restrooms and locker rooms.

There are real world consequences for Biden’s radical Title IX rule.In West Virginia, five female students were barred from competing in track and field after refusing to compete against a biological male. In Wisconsin, young girls were forced off their volleyball team because they felt uncomfortable sharing a locker room with a biological male. In Illinois, there was a situation where girls were threatened with disciplinary action for refusing to share a bathroom with biological males.

Parents are horrified by what Joe Biden and Secretary Cardona are doing to our daughters, and I will introduce the Congressional Review Act bill to block Biden’s radical Title IX rule in order to protect our daughters and save girls’ sports.

Last week, I questioned Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra about the Biden administration’s commitment to withhold funds from religious hospitals that refuse to provide sex-change operations on young children. Secretary Becerra is complicit in Joe Biden’s efforts to force doctors to perform sex-change operations on children even if they have religious concerns.

Secretary Becerra admitted that the Biden administration will indeed withhold federal funding from religious hospitals if doctors do not comply with their inhumane mandate.I will continue to oppose the brutal mutilation of our children, and I will continue to be a voice in Congress for the parents who are outraged by Joe Biden’s radical agenda.

As we approach the May 23rd Farm Bill hearing, I want to hear from farmers and constituents in downstate and central Illinois on how we can best serve Illinois farmers before this important hearing. Agriculture is the lifeblood of our local economy, and protecting the family farm is my top priority.

Please share your feedback with me by clicking on the survey below: https://marymiller.house.gov/survey/farm-bill-survey