(Photo by Rob Pongsajapan)

The American Soybean Association (ASA) today applauded measures in the Omnibus Appropriations Bill which will fund and revise many key agriculture measures.

“We’re glad to see issues important to soy growers like rural broadband, waterways infrastructure and agriculture research included in the Omnibus and we now urge a swift passage,” said ASA President and Iowa soybean farmer John Heisdorffer.

Specific to soy, the Omnibus includes language requiring transparency and scientific justification by the Defense Logistics Agency prior to regulating food ingredients in military rations, including soy products, which ASA has previously advocated for and strongly supports.

ASA supports the resolution of the Section 199A tax issue, which has created significant uncertainty for farmers, ag cooperatives, and grain processors since enactment of the tax reform bill in December.

Additionally, ASA applauds the inclusion of $600 million to launch a pilot loan-and-grant program for deploying broadband in rural America, which adds funding to existing USDA broadband programs.

ASA also cheered the increased and record funding levels provided for inland waterways infrastructure and port and harbor maintenance in the Energy & Water Appropriations portion of the Omnibus Appropriations bill.

Another funding increase important to ASA is $400 million for the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative, which is a $25 million funding increase from last year.

“Soy is America’s top agricultural export, and all of these funding increases in the Omnibus Appropriations bill will enhance soy grower’s ability to farm, find markets for and transport beans. We urge the Congress to pass this bill, and look forward working on other legislation that benefits rural America.”