Floor SpeechNeutral2026-02-02

A PLEA FOR SMALL, FAMILY-OWNED FARMS

TradeInfrastructureAgriculture

Context

On 2026-02-02, Representative Marcy Kaptur (D-OH-9) delivered a floor speech titled "A PLEA FOR SMALL, FAMILY-OWNED FARMS" in the House. The speech addressed trade policy and also covered infrastructure, agriculture.

Full Text

A PLEA FOR SMALL, FAMILY-OWNED FARMS

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 23 (Monday, February 2, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 23 (Monday, February 2, 2026)] [House] [Page H1940] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] A PLEA FOR SMALL, FAMILY-OWNED FARMS (Ms. KAPTUR asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.) Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, I rise with an urgent plea for small, family-owned farms, especially across the American heartland and communities I represent. Seven of the eight counties I represent in northwest Ohio are predominantly rural and home to hardworking farmers who produce the nutritious food that feeds and fuels our Nation. They deserve our unwavering support because what America makes and grows makes and grows America. Yet their work has never been harder. Over the past year, they have endured setback after setback--including during the driest spells we have witnessed in more than a decade--due to tariffs, losing markets all across the world, and we think permanently. The severity of this physical, as well as tariff, drought runs straight through our district. Our farmers need certainty. We need to pass a farm bill. We don't need recklessly imposed tariffs that break their backs due to lost export markets and then paying Argentina $40 billion for their beef when our cattlemen are going out of business. Something's wrong here. Farmers are hurting. They need leadership that invests in their success, Mr. Speaker. Don't cut their rural water infrastructure or weaken the science that our farmers depend upon. ____________________

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A PLEA FOR SMALL, FAMILY-OWNED FARMS Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 23 (Monday, February 2, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 23 (Monday, February 2, 2026)] [House] [Page H1940] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] A PLEA FOR SMALL, FAMILY-OWNED FARMS (Ms. KAPTUR asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.) Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, I rise with an urgent plea for small, family-owned farms, especially across the American heartland and communities I represent. Seven of the eight counties I represent in northwest Ohio are predominantly rural and home to hardworking farmers who produce the nutritious food that feeds and fuels our Nation. They deserve our unwavering support because what America makes and grows makes and grows America. Yet their work has never been harder. Over the past year, they have endured setback after setback--including during the driest spells we have witnessed in more than a decade--due to tariffs, losing markets all across the world, and we think permanently. The severity of this physical, as well as tariff, drought runs straight through our district. Our farmers need certainty. We need to pass a farm bill. We don't need recklessly imposed tariffs that break their backs due to lost export markets and then paying Argentina $40 billion for their beef when our cattlemen are going out of business. Something's wrong here. Farmers are hurting. They need leadership that invests in their success, Mr. Speaker. Don't cut their rural water infrastructure or weaken the science that our farmers depend upon. ____________________