30 Apr 2018 Bill to Rename USDA Puts Federal Focus on Rural Communities in Agriculture

Sens. Mark R. Warner (D-VA), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Joe Manchin (D-WV), and Tim Kaine (D-VA) introduced bipartisan legislation last week that would rename the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) as the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.

Michele Stockwell, executive director of BPC Action stated, “Rural communities are a key pillar of America, however, they are often challenged by geographic isolation and persistent poverty. For the residents of rural America that continue to feel left behind in today’s economy, The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Act of 2017 offers a renewed focus on the economic matters specific to their community.”

“Rural communities are a key pillar of America, however, they are often challenged by geographic isolation and persistent poverty.”

“BPC Action hopes this step will better focus federal efforts around conditions in rural America and produce pragmatic solutions such as those recommended by BPC’s Appalachia Initiative,” said Stockwell.

Sens. Warner and Manchin, along with Sens. David Perdue (R-GA) and Thom Tillis (R-NC), are co-chairs of the Bipartisan Policy Center’s Appalachia Initiative. Last year, they released a report with a set of bipartisan recommendations to boost economic growth in Appalachia.