Washington, Oregon Lawmakers Speak at Sugar Conference in Bipartisan Show of Support for Sugar Policy 

Seattle, WA – In a bipartisan show of support for U.S. sugar policy, Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer (R-OR-05), Rep. Rick Larsen (D-WA-02), and Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA-04) all provided remarks at the U.S. sugar industry’s 39th annual conference, the International Sweetener Symposium, in Seattle, WA, this week.

Each of the members noted the importance of agriculture – particularly sugarbeets – to the region. Sugar production has a significant impact on the economy in the Pacific Northwest. In Washington State, sugarbeets drive $28 million in annual economic impact and in Oregon, sugarbeets drive $128 million in annual economic impact.

Farmers across commodities are facing rising production costs and greater weather challenges that have made it harder for family farms to survive.

“As one of the few farmers in Congress, I understand the unique challenges our producers face and have been working hard to ensure the long-term success of America’s agricultural industry,” Rep. Newhouse, a member of the House Appropriations Committee, said in his recorded remarks at the International Sweetener Symposium. “I know that passing a comprehensive Farm Bill is of the utmost importance to our farm economy.”

Rep. Newhouse expressed support for the strengthened policy provisions in the Farm Bill passed out of the House Agriculture Committee in a bipartisan vote.

Rep. Chavez-DeRemer, a member of the House Agriculture Committee who voted for the bipartisan Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2024 when it passed the committee, also spoke about the need for a stronger farm safety net.

“I know that a strong farm safety net is essential to the growth and success of family farms. Federal policies must ensure that our farmers and ranchers have the support they need,” said Rep. Chavez-DeRemer. “Together, we can ensure the Farm Bill remains a pillar of support for our producers, helping them to thrive for generations to come.”

“If we don’t have food security, we don’t have national security. We are the breadbasket of the world and people are counting on us,” she said.

American agriculture is critical to maintaining a robust food supply. Rep. Larsen, Ranking Member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, addressed the need to make investments in our domestic supply chains..

“Nationwide, the sugar industry supports over 150,000 jobs and contributes over $23 billion annually to the national economy. Many of these jobs and investments are in rural communities, and I certainly am committed to strengthening these communities through the investments that we make through infrastructure, our roads and bridges and highways and ports, to ensure that goods and people can move efficiently throughout the country and of course around the world,” said Rep. Larsen.

America’s sugarbeet and sugarcane farmers and workers are grateful to Reps. Chavez-DeRemer, Larsen, and Newhouse for their continued support of American agriculture and a strong U.S. sugar policy.