Get Ready to Bend the Ear of Your Member of Congress
With your Southeast Regional Ag News, I am Haylie Shipp. This is the Ag Information Network.
To say it’s a highly volatile political atmosphere would be an understatement. Wish you could bend the ear of your member of Congress? Hop to! Each year, members of Congress take time during the month of August to return to their home districts and hear directly from constituents. Cody Lyon, managing director of advocacy and political affairs for the American Farm Bureau Federation, says the August recess is an important time in the political process…
“The face to face meeting of a constituent or farmer and rancher with their member of Congress is easily the most influential advocacy tactic anybody can do.”
He talks about some of the key issues that farmers and ranchers need to engage on…
“Learning where your members of Congress and or other candidates stand on your key issues is vitally important. Farm bill continues to be a key issue. It's been a key issue for us going forward. And finally, tax reform. Several provisions in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act will expire next year. This period right now is for education, for members of Congress who may not have been around in 2017.”
The House of Representatives is set to begin recess on August 2nd, with Senators heading for their home states the following day. Both chambers will return after Labor Day. For tips on engaging elected officials, go to fb.org/advocacy.
