Press Releases

WASHINGTON—Congressman Ron Estes (R-Kansas) joined lawmakers and agricultural leaders from around the country at the White House today as President Donald Trump signed the 2018 Farm Bill into law.

“It was an honor to join President Trump at the White House today as the Farm Bill was signed into law," said Rep. Estes. "Combined with new work requirements from the Secretary of Agriculture, this law will provide Kansas farmers and ranchers with needed certainty, make historic investments in rural broadband, and help get people back to work to grow our economy. With the Farm Bill complete, I look forward to continuing to work on new ways to support Kansas agriculture, particularly through free and fair trade deals.”

The first time since 1990 that a Farm Bill has been enacted the same year it was introduced, the law will:

• Extend farm support programs and improve crop insurance
• Maintain vital disaster programs to ensure our farmers and agricultural producers are well-prepared to weather market disruptions
• Promote agricultural exports and opening of new markets for America’s farmers
• Expand rural broadband development and dedicate resources to fight the opioid crisis
• Promote voluntary conservation, outdoor recreation, and better water infrastructure  
• Encourage forest management partnerships with states and localities
• Enhance the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

Earlier in the day, the U.S. Department of Agriculture unveiled new work requirement rules to help Americans in need while getting people back to work by updating the criteria states use when issuing exemptions for work requirements for able-bodied adults without children. The proposed rule is projected to save taxpayers $15 billion over ten years.

Ron Estes is a 5th generation Kansan and represents Kansas’ 4th congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives. He serves on the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, and the House Committee on Homeland Security.