House, Senate Ag Leaders Show Support for U.S. Sugar Policy

Seattle, WA – The bipartisan, bicameral leaders of the congressional Agriculture Committees reiterated their support for U.S. sugar policy during the 39th International Sweetener Symposium this week, hosted by the American Sugar Alliance.

In recorded remarks, House Chairman GT Thompson (R-PA-15), Ranking Member David Scott (D-GA-13), Senate Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), and Ranking Member John Boozman (R-AR) each emphasized the importance of maintaining a strong domestic sugar industry and remarked on the vital role sugar plays in feeding America.

“Sugar is so important. We can do without a lot of things, but the one thing we cannot do without is sugar,” said Ranking Member Scott.

As the primary architects of the next Farm Bill, these leaders have invested significant time listening to the concerns of America’s sugarbeet and sugarcane farmers and workers.

“Across the country, the message I heard loud and clear is that farmers are struggling, and the safety net is inadequate. Between low commodity prices and high input costs, the margin squeeze is getting more serious as each day goes by,” Chairman Thompson explained.

Both the House and Senate Committees have released Farm Bill proposals to better support the ability of farm families and workers to grow, harvest, process, and deliver sugar to American families and food manufacturers.

“[The bipartisan Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2024] will give renewed strength to the farm safety net, just as producers need it most,” Thompson continued. “On sugar specifically, not only did we deliver on critical policy improvements for domestic growers and processors, we were able to do so in a way that enhances the sugar supply chain which garnered the support of sugar users, making this the first ever Farm Bill supported by both sides of the industry.”

Chairwoman Stabenow spoke to the vast contributions of the U.S. sugar industry, which supports more than 151,000 jobs and more than $28 billion in annual economic activity, and the need to move a bipartisan Farm Bill.

“Sugar may be sweet, but your role in the American economy, and in communities across the country, is even sweeter,” Chairwoman Stabenow said. “I am hard at work to enact a bipartisan Farm Bill by the end of the year. My Farm Bill proposal, the Rural Prosperity and Food Security Act, helps sugar growers by improving loan rates and making other important changes to the sugar program.”

America’s sugarbeet and sugarcane farm families need a bipartisan, bicameral, and highly effective Farm Bill.

Ranking Member Boozman highlighted the need for additional farm support as well as underscored the importance of a strong domestic supply chain for sugar.

“Farmers are facing challenges ranging from historic inflation, record trade deficit, rising interest rates, devastating natural disasters, and global disruptions,” Ranking Member Boozman said. “Senate Republicans have released a framework that addresses those concerns… Our framework strengthens and protects sugar policy for growers, and we facilitate the movement of more domestic sugar into the marketplace for those who use it.”

The American Sugar Alliance will continue working alongside the House and Senate Agriculture Committees to encourage Congress deliver greater certainty and a strengthened safety net through a five-year Farm Bill as soon as possible.