Press Release: American Sugar Alliance Congratulates New Speaker of the House, Representative Mike Johnson 

Press Release: American Sugar Alliance Congratulates New Speaker of the House, Representative Mike Johnson 

  

The American Sugar Alliance congratulates Representative Mike Johnson (R-LA-04) on his election as Speaker of the House – and on becoming the first Speaker of the House from Louisiana.

  

As Speaker of the House, Mr. Johnson has the critical task of shepherding legislation impacting the lives of all Americans – including a Farm Bill that supports American farmers and ranchers who provide us with the safest, most abundant and affordable food, feed, fiber, and fuel supply in the world.  

 

“We stand ready to work with Speaker Johnson and all of House leadership in swiftly advancing the next Farm Bill,” said American Sugar Alliance Chairwoman Cassie Bladow. “Farmers and workers are the backbone of this nation – especially as job creators and community leaders. Our 11,000 American sugarbeet and sugarcane family farmers support more than 151,000 good-paying jobs and maintain a resilient domestic sugar supply chain for consumers and food manufacturers. We urge the House of Representatives under Speaker Johnson’s leadership to introduce and pass a Farm Bill that meets the needs of American farmers and ranchers and the communities they support.” 

Jim Simon, General Manager of the American Sugar Cane League, added, “Speaker Johnson understands the importance of agriculture to the nation and to our state. Louisiana’s sugarcane growers and processors congratulate the new Speaker and urge Congress to act expeditiously to approve and improve the farm safety net.”

  

The Farm Bill, portions of which expired on September 30, 2023, plays a vital role in supporting the nation’s entire agricultural sector. In these challenging times, where farmers and ranchers face increased occurrence and severity of natural disasters, high foreign subsidies, and other predatory trade practices, a strong safety net is more crucial than ever. The Farm Bill not only provides a farm safety net but also creates more than 21 million American jobs, both on and off the farm and ranch, while fueling the U.S. economy.