Agricultural News
Congressman Frank Lucas Believes 2022 May See GOP Take the Majority in the US House of Representatives
Sat, 29 Jan 2022 11:35:14 CST
In a top cattle-producing state like Oklahoma, do not be surprised to find yourself rubbing elbows with congressmen and state lawmakers at an event like the Oklahoma Cattlemen Association's Winter Policy Meeting. Especially when you have a Congressman like Frank Lucas; a fifth-generation Oklahoman who also produces wheat and cattle in Western Oklahoma.
Lucas spoke to constituents at the meeting and laid out his expectations for the coming legislative session and political season. He told Ron Hays, senior reporter for the Oklahoma Farm Report, crafting the 2023 Farm Bill needs to kick into gear.
"My great disappointment is that we should be in the hearing process for the 2023 Farm Bill - we should be focused on the Farm Bill," Lucas said. "The 2018 (Farm Bill) programs begin to unwind Oct. 1, 2023."
Since 2022 is an election year, he said the chief accomplishments will be just working through the regular appropriation bills and funding the government into the next year. At the same time, he predicts Republicans will be able to take back the U.S. House of Representatives and in turn lead all the House Committees.
"The Rules Committee is one of those entities that the public is not really aware of, but every bill - the Farm Bill, Appropriations Bill - goes to the rules committee before it comes to the floor," Lucas said.
If Congressmen Tom Cole and Lucas both win re-election this year and republicans win the majority of U.S. House seats, there is a good chance Cole will become the chairman of the Rules Committee with Lucas becoming chairman of the Science Committee. Lucas is also set up to become the senior member of the House Agriculture Committee and serving next to Congressman GT Thompson, the likely Chairman, putting Republicans in strategic positions of power within the House when it comes to crafting agriculture policy.
"I believe I will be back on the (Agriculture) Committee and Mr. Thompson will become Chairman (and) we will build off of the 2018 Farm Bill," Lucas said. "Do not expect any dramatic rewrites - just trying to clean up, adjust and make perfecting moves. (President) Joe Biden will still be the president, but as a Republican Congress, if we send him a good, clean Farm Bill - he will sign it."
Looking at recent natural disasters like the drought in the West and extreme wildfires, Lucas said adjustments to livestock and crop disaster assistance need to be reevaluated.
"Like the '14 Farm Bill, making sure all commodity groups in all regions are treated fairly and equitably - we got that done, we just need to protect that and work a few kinks out," Lucas said.
Lucas said he believes a Farm Bill will be ready to be signed by Biden by 2023
Hit the LISTEN BAR below to hear Ron Hays and Frank Lucas discuss the opportunities for republicans in 2022, how that could shape the 2023 Farm Bill and more. (Pictured above is Congressman Lucas discussing industry issues with OCA President Byron Yeoman.)
WebReadyTM Powered by WireReady® NSI
Top Agricultural News
More Headlines...
