SEEC Climate and Agriculture Task Force Supports America’s Food Producers in Protecting Climate Conservation Guardrails and Nutrition in Farm Bill

Washington, D.C. – Today, the House Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition (SEEC) Climate and Agriculture Task Force Co-Chairs, Rep. Chellie Pingree and Rep. Kim Schrier, released a statement following a press conference with SEEC House Agriculture Committee members, farmers, and advocates who are working to protect the climate guardrails for the Inflation Reduction Act’s (IRA) conservation investments in the upcoming Farm Bill negotiations.

“We stand with our fellow SEEC House Agriculture Committee members in holding the line against House Republicans in their efforts to erode the climate guardrails provided through the IRA’s historic conservation investments and slash future Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits,” said the SEEC Climate and Agriculture Task Force Co-Chairs. “Last Congress, we secured climate-smart funding for our farmers who are working hard to deliver a resilient food supply chain for the American people. At this critical juncture in Farm Bill negotiations, we reiterate that removing these popular climate-smart protections is a nonstarter.

“Thank you to the farmers who joined us today to share how our vision for a clean and healthy American future is unfolding across the nation as we speak. Because of climate-friendly farming practices, our farmers have witnessed improved crop resilience and productivity that represent a win for our farmers and a win for our planet. We stand united with our farmers and Democratic colleagues in ensuring these climate investments are delivered to American farmers for generations to come.”

Background

Over the past year, the SEEC Climate and Agriculture Task Force has worked to push for the full utilization of IRA conservation dollars promised to our farmers and ranchers and safeguard IRA’s funding to help rural communities transition to clean energy. Further, the Task Force met with farmers from red and blue states, reiterated the need to protect the $19.5 billion in IRA conservation funds, as well as championed climate-smart priorities for this must-pass legislation.

The event recording can be found here.