SEMINOLE, TX (KWES) - West Texas Congressman Mike Conaway was in Seminole to speak to peanut farmers about updates on the farm bill.
"Anybody who eats in America, the Farm Bill affects them," said Conaway.
Conaway relayed those sentiments to everyone who went to the Western Peanut Growers Association Conference.
Peanut flavored cakes, peanut almond milk, and regular peanuts out of the shell, the congressman's visit touched on how the farm bill could affect those crops and those who harvest them.
"The farmers in this country, the ranchers in this country deliver to the American consumer the safest, most abundant and affordable food and fiber supply of any developed nation in the world," said Conaway.
In West Texas, oil and gas is king, but according to Conaway, the farming industry is right behind it.
"In District 11 it's the number two economic driver," said Conaway.
Conaway explained right now the plan is to get the bill out of the agricultural committee and to a House vote by the end of April.
"We're going to look holistically at the whole bill. We've done 110 hearings over the last three years," said Conaway.
The revisions to the bill touch on two factors for the American people.
"One is the safety net, rural development, conservation titles that deal with life in America between the big cities. The other big piece is the SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program)." Areas that Conaway said are important because everyone has to eat.
