Abraham to craft final Farm Bill language

Congressman Ralph Abraham has been named to the conference committee that will set American agriculture policy for the next five years.

"This is great news; a huge asset for Louisiana," said Louisiana Farm Bureau President Ronnie Anderson. "Congressman Abraham will be our biggest voice at the table and he understands our unique issues in Louisiana because he lives them."

Abraham's daughter and son-in-law operate the family's farm in northeastern Louisiana. The congressman has called agriculture "America's thin green line."

The conference committee will resolve differences in the House and the Senate version of the Farm Bill.

“This is an honor and a responsibility that I do not take lightly," Abraham said. "Agriculture is vitally important to the economy of the nation and Louisiana. We must get this bill right for all people who call rural America home.

"I’m confident that we will emerge from this process with a great Farm Bill that provides strong support for our farmers, ranchers and foresters.”

Abraham is Louisiana's only member of Congress on either the House or Senate Agriculture Committees.

House Agriculture Committee Chairman Mike Conaway, R-Texas, said farmers "are struggling right now and they deserve the certainty of a strong farm bill to see them through to better times."

"The House has pulled together a solid team of conferees – including Rep. Abraham," he said. "I’m looking forward to working with Ralph, who has been a strong voice for agriculture through this process, and the rest of our House and Senate colleagues to reach a final product that helps millions of low-income Americans climb the economic ladder, while standing by our nation’s hard-working farm and ranch families.”

Current Farm Bill policy expires at the end of September.

Farmers have been particularly concerned about retaliation from President Trump's tariffs.

Louisiana Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain hailed its passage, calling the Farm Bill "the road map for the biggest industry in our state and in America."

"It sets the course for the foundation of the economy," Strain said.

Agriculture has annual $13 billion economic impact in Louisiana.

Greg Hilburn covers state politics for the USA TODAY Network of Louisiana. Follow him on Twitter @GregHilburn1