Issue Position: Fighting for Wyoming Agriculture

Issue Position

Wyoming's agricultural industry is crucial to our economy and our way of life. Producing the food our nation needs and contributing over $2.2 billion annually to the state's economy, our farmers and ranchers need relief from strangling federal regulations and an out of control federal bureaucracy. As Wyoming's representative in Congress, I will lead the effort to defend and promote Wyoming agriculture. Our priorities should include:

*Ending the Death Tax. The estate tax also known as the "death tax" is a major hindrance to family ranching operations moving to the next generation. It should be repealed.
*Reforming the Capital Gains Tax. Our ag families need relief from capital gains taxes that hit them when they realize value on assets within their operations.
*Repealing Waters of the U.S. Waters of the U.S. is a power grab by the EPA, attempting to extend federal control even to dry creek beds on private land. We must repeal it.
*Stopping Burdensome Federal Regulations like Particulate Matter Rules, Overtime and New Farm Labor Rules. Driving down a gravel road or tilling a field should not result in an air quality violation. New overtime rules cannot be allowed to adversely impact the operations of feeding and packing operations.
*Significantly Reducing the Size, Scope and Authority of Federal Agencies Like the EPA, Forest Service and BLM. Unelected federal bureaucrats are imposing unconstitutional and overly-burdensome rules and compliance regulations on Wyoming's ag community. Congress must take back its oversight authority and we must return power to our states and local communities.
*Launching a Regulatory Revolution. Congress should sunset existing regulations, and require that new regulations impose the least economic cost possible
*Managing Wild Horses. Despite a doubling of its program budget, the Bureau of Land Management has failed to manage wild horse populations. Our rangeland and our ranchers' livelihoods are being threatened by an exploding wild horse population. Congress must take back authority to conduct effective oversight over the BLM's management of wild horses.
*Rescinding BLM Planning 2.0. This new proposed BLM rule will give entities, including potentially international environmental organizations, a seat at the table equal to our local officials in land use planning in our state. The Rule must be rescinded and authority returned to our local governments.
*Reforming the Endangered Species Act to restore state authority. The ESA is being exploited and abused by radical environmentalists to discourage all human use of our land, including private land. Authority for managing wolves, grizzlies, sage grouse and other species should rest with the state and local communities and the Endangered Species Act should be significantly reformed or repealed.
*Ending Dumping of Foreign Beef on the U.S. Market.
*Reinstating Country of Origin Labeling (COOL).
*Ensuring Multiple Use and Access to Public Lands for Grazing. The Forest Service and the BLM must honor existing permits and allotments and give local land management offices the ability to make decisions based on range health, Too often today these decisions are made by unelected bureaucrats pursuing a political agenda.
*Monitoring Packer Concentration and Captive Supply. Wyoming's next representative must work to ensure that markets are working for Wyoming cattle producers and that they are not being manipulated by downstream interests.
*Preventing the Migration Corridor Movement from Restricting Access to Public Lands. Migration Corridors must not be allowed to halt or infringe on energy production and grazing on public lands.
*Ensuring the Beef Check-Off Works for American Producers. The check-off dollars from beef raised in Wyoming should not be utilized to promote foreign beef that is in direct competition with the industry.
*Promoting Wyoming's Sugar Beets. Unfair and unwarranted attacks on the sugar beet industry based on unsound science are jeopardizing the livelihoods of Wyoming growers. Wyoming's representative must be a tireless advocate of our sugar beet industry against federal overreach.
*Continuing the Operation of Federal Wildlife Feed Grounds in Wyoming
* Continuing Efforts for Transparency and Fiscal Accountability for Farm Subsidies

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