▶ 0:14:51meeting will come to order. We are meeting today to consider HR 4550, the United States Green Standards Reauthorization Act of 2025, and note that a quorum is present and that each member has before them copies of the material on our agenda today at their place on the roster room. Without objection, the chair will may recess committee subject to the call of the chair at any point during this meeting. Our next order of business is to consider a bill to reauthorize the United States Grain Standards Act.
▶ 0:15:22This essential law has shaped the US grain and oil seed industry for more than a century. Originally enacted in 1916, the United States Grain Standards Act provides the federal government with the authority to establish official marketing standards for grains and oil seeds along with procedures for inspection and weighing. These standards are a cornerstone of our agricultural system, supporting transparency, consistency, and fairness across the supply chain.
▶ 0:15:51They help ensure that US grain maintains its strong reputation for quality and reliability in global markets. Producers, processors, exporters, and buyers all rely on the integrity and accuracy of the official grain inspection and weighing services. These services not only help farmers receive a premium for their crops, but also give buyers a certainty they're receiving that they're receiving the quality they've come to expect.
▶ 0:16:17While many of these provisions of the act are permanently authorized, a few key authorities are set to expire this September. A lapse in authorization could create significant disruption and inspection and weighing processes leading to uncertainty in both domestic and international markets. uh US competitiveness in global markets depends on uninterrupted, consistent and cost-effective inspection services.
▶ 0:16:42The updated provisions before us today reflect thoughtful input from stakeholders and aim to ensure continuity and create more opportunity to advance grain grading technology. This legislation reflects a strong bipartisan consensus. I want to thank subcommittee chairman Scott and ranking member Davis for holding a hearing on this important issue and helping educate members on the value of official marketing standards. Also appreciate the partnership of ranking member Craig of the full committee and working collaboratively to move this effort ahead.
▶ 0:17:13I look forward to continuing our work together to advance this important legislation through the house. And with that, I yield to the ranking member Craig for her comments.
▶ 0:17:23Thank you so much, Mr. Chairman. I'm pleased to be here to support the US grain standards reauthorization act of 2025 and happy to be its lead democratic co-sponsor. Every summer grains planted by hardworking motans cover 40% of my district. Agriculture by its very nature is full of uncertainty. When farmers plant their crops, they don't know if the weather will cooperate. Usually it doesn't in Minnesota.
▶ 0:17:52Will their fields get too much rain, too little sun, a cold snap, or an unexpected severe weather event? None of this is in the hands of the farmer planting a crop. Lately, America's farmers have experienced another kind of uncertainty, the president's trade policies. How much will tariffs drive up input costs? Will tariffs ultimately shut down uh shut US farmers out of foreign markets?
▶ 0:18:18Will any trade deal the administration makes be enough to offset the market lost market share we lost in the first Trump trade war and are continuing to lose now? US grain standards are a key component of foreign trade and promoting American agriculture exports.
▶ 0:18:36The inspections and certifications done by the Federal Grain Inspection Service uh states and private agencies provide foreign importers with certainty regarding the quality of the grain bought from US farmers. With parts of the existing US uh grain standards standards act set to expire on September 30th, 2025.
▶ 0:19:00We should avoid adding additional uncertainty to farmers lives by reauthoriz reauthorizing and improving this law. The bill before us reauthorizes annual appropriations for standard development and maintenance. USDA's authority to collect fees for supervision of inspections and weighing an administrative supervisory cost cap and the grain inspection advisory committee. All important components of the existing law.
▶ 0:19:29However, the bill also makes some key improvements. The legislation steers USDA to prioritize the modernization of grain grading technologies. The US grain inspection system is known around the world for quality and reliability. Yet, as new technologies and new tests with improved speed, accuracy, and consistency come into play, other countries may try to leap ahead of our high standards. We cannot res on our laurels.
▶ 0:19:58By focusing USDA's attention on modernization, we can continue to hold our place at the as the world's gold standard in grain inspection. We also heard testimony before the general farm commodities risk management and credit subcommittee that the FGIS grain inspection advisory committee should be modified to enhance continuity.
▶ 0:20:20This need arises from USDA's delays occurring under both Republican and Democratic administrations in naming replacement GIA members when existing members leave. Today, a member of the GICAC may serve two consecutive terms, but then must leave the committee when the second term expires. This can leave holes in GIA membership, which can prevent the committee from meeting.
▶ 0:20:48By allowing GIAC members in their second term to remain on the committee until replaced, this ensures the committee can continue to function. However, this should not absolve the department from doing a better job in vetting and naming GIA members in a timely manner and I trust, Mr. Chairman, that we will be keeping their feet to the fire on this.
▶ 0:21:11There are other improvements to the law that I won't go into, but the bill's entire intention is to help ensure grain can get from our farms and grain elevators onto ships bound for overseas markets. Our grain farmers need to know that they can rely on the USDA as a reliable partner, not a roadblock to trade. I'm pleased we were able to work on this legislation in a bipartisan way, and I hope this trend will continue throughout this Congress.
▶ 0:21:38Bipartisan legislation is always preferable to partisan legislation. Bipartisan legislation is stronger. Bipartisan legislation is harder to undo when it has broad support. Reauthorizing the US Grain Standards Act is important for our farmers and their customers, and I urge all of my colleagues to support this legislation. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and I yield back.
▶ 0:22:05The Green Standards Reauthorization Act of 2025 is now before the committee for consideration. Without objection, the first reading of the bill will be waved and it will be open for amendment at any point. Do any members have remarks on the bill under the five minute rule? Seeing none and hearing no further discussion, the committee will now consider the bill. Does any member have any amendments to the bill?
▶ 0:22:42Seeing none, and hearing none, I now recognize the gentle lady from Minnesota, Miss Craig, for a motion.
▶ 0:22:53What's my motion? Mr. Chairman, I move. Thank you,
▶ 0:22:59Mr. Chairman. I move Excuse me, Mr. Chairman, I move that the bill HR44550 be reported favorably to the House with the recommendation that it do pass.
▶ 0:23:09Does any member wish to discuss the Hearing none, the question is on the motion offered by the gentle lady from Minnesota, Miss Greg, to favorably report HR 4550. All in favor, all in favor signify by saying I. I.
▶ 0:23:29All oppose by saying nay. In the opinion of the chair, the eyes have it. In the bill HR4550 is ordered to be reported favorably to the House. a majority having voted in favor of the motion is agreed to and HR450 will be reportedly uh reported favorably to the House without objection.
▶ 0:23:56The usual instructions are given to staff that consist of making such technical clarifying or conforming changes as are appropriate without changing the substance of the legislation. Any members wishing to submit additional desending or minority views shall submit such views to the council's office room 1407 Longworth by Friday, July 25th at 12 p.m. This concludes today's business meeting. Um I want to thank all the members and this meeting is adjourned.
▶ 0:24:26Uh we will con reconvene in approximately one minute uh for the for the hearing.