WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Ranking Member of the Joint Economic Committee, released the following statement ahead of the Senate vote on the 2018 farm bill. In his statement, Senator Heinrich also highlighted a new report from JEC Dems that advocates for passage of a strong, bipartisan farm bill that will strengthen rural America:

“Passing a bipartisan, five-year farm bill is key to ensuring that farmers, families, small towns, and rural communities across the country have the resources and opportunities to succeed in today’s economy. Rural Americans face unique challenges that we must tackle head on, and this bill takes a strong step in that direction. The rural population is aging and shrinking, and we should make the right investments to strengthen the next generation of farmers and growers, as well as families who have cultivated land for generations.

“As Ranking Member of the Joint Economic Committee, and a representative of many rural New Mexicans, I am encouraged by the work my colleagues in the Senate have done on this bipartisan bill. This bill will make investments in rural broadband access, provide additional funding for water and wastewater infrastructure projects, and help expand renewable energy for workforce development in rural areas. And I’m hoping the new Joint Economic Committee Democrats report, “Investing in Rural America,” which advocates for some of the key provisions included in this bill, continues to serve as a roadmap for progress. We owe it to all Americans to enact legislation that will help rural communities benefit from our growing economy.”

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For more information, please contact Latoya Veal at Latoya_Veal@jec.senate.gov or 202-224-0379.