Congresswoman Letlow Opens Debate on the Fiscal Year 2024 Agriculture Appropriations Bill

Congresswoman Julia Letlow (LA-05) gave an opening statement to the House Appropriations Committee regarding the Fiscal Year 2024 Agriculture Appropriations Bill. Congresswoman Letlow made clear her support for the Bill, and highlighted numerous reasons why its contents are needed for her constituents in Louisiana. 

The proposed bill will provide strong support for farmers, ranchers, and producers and ensure they have the resources they need to prosper in their vital industry. The legislation will set aside additional funding for pre-existing programs in agriculture and mitigation research, rural development, sugar cane variety development, and nutrition assistance. With Congresswoman Letlow’s district being the largest agricultural district in Louisiana, she explained the direct impact this would have on small, rural areas like her own.

Specific to Congresswoman Letlow’s district, the Bill includes four of her Community Project Funding requests that would ultimately provide nearly $7 million of direct funds for the Citizens Medical Center Emergency Room expansion, the Washington Parish Government 9-1-1 Communications Tower, LSU Agricultural Conservation, and Our Lady of the Angels Hospital Emergency Helipad.

Congresswoman Letlow’s remarks:

“Thank you, Madam Chair and Ranking Member DeLauro,

As a Member of Congress who represents the largest agricultural district in the state of Louisiana and one of the largest row crop districts in the country, I am proud to stand here in support of this critical piece of legislation.

Ensuring that American farmers, ranchers, and producers have the resources they need is a duty that I do not take lightly, and it is my belief that this bill does just that. This legislation provides fiscally responsible investments into important programs such as agriculture, research, rural development, nutrition assistance, and plant and animal health programs. Specifically, there is funding for aflatoxin mitigation research, sugar cane variety development, and cotton classing upgrades, just to name a few. All of which are equally critical for the Ag district that I call home.

Additionally, this bill includes four of my Community Project Funding requests, totaling nearly $7 million. Make no mistake, this is not the old ways of throwing money at wasteful projects. This funding will make a direct positive impact in rural communities such as mine. These projects include resources for rural healthcare systems, agriculture research, and local first responders across numerous parishes within my district. 

I would like to thank Dr. Harris and the Republican majority who have been able to craft a bill that provides much needed resources to small town America, while being fiscally responsible so our children and future generations can prosper.

I am honored and thankful to be a part of this committee and I urge my colleagues to vote in favor.

I yield back.”

Click here to watch Congresswoman Letlow’s remarks.