August Recess for Congress
From the Ag Information Network, I’m Bob Larson. Each year, members of Congress take time in 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, says it’s very important for Farm Bureau members to take advantage of the face-to-face opportunity to interact with policymakers who directly impact agriculture …
LYON … “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, and the reason is, there's this interaction. There's the ability to ask a question, get an answer, have a follow up, do something that you can show the member of Congress what's happening on a farm or ranch. And there's nothing like showing.”
Lyon says what we’re asking our State Farm Bureaus and Farm Bureau members to do, is? …
LYON … “First, we know the election is coming up. Learning where your members of Congress and or other candidates stand on your key issues is vitally important. Second, 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 is now off for August recess, with Senators heading for their home states by the end of the week. Both chambers return after Labor Day.
