rico were treated equally under the supplemental nutrition assistance program. we will receive that. as approved in the 2014 farm

bill, puerto rico cash portion of the benefit obtained through the program will gradually be reduced each year through the that 5% since the last year because of the hurricane situation by the administration, leaveen all benefits will them available through the electronic benefit transfer system. in view of this and in preparation of this, we are beginning to consider the transition to snap if it is feasible or not. so we are looking forward to have our report that will allow us to know what kind of benefits my constituents will be receiving. an updated study will allow us to have us to make this decision along with the government of

puerto rico. my amendment will essentially seek better facts and better data for my constituents and the people of puerto rico that they receive and depend on and many families on the island, as you may know, this is the main source of nutritional assistance. and it is my responsibility to make sure we receive that kind of data. last time it was in 2010. we are in 2018 without an update of that report. we look forward to have the tools and information we have at hand to collaborate with the first of the federal government to make those families to continue to receive those kind of services and the island to maintain a proper access. and therefore, proper quality of life.

those need to be made and updated facts and not subject to guesswork for some officials. i do believe that these amendments as drafted do not include the mandatory spending. these will also require just data. and that's what we need. so with that, i yield back the balance of my time. i encourage my colleagues to vote. e chair: any member in opposition? hearing none. the question is on the amendment offered by the gentlewoman from puerto rico. those in favor say aye. those opposed, no. it is now in order to consider amendment number 16 printed in for what t 115-679, purpose does the gentleman from arizona seek recognition? the clerk: amendment number 16 printed in house report 115-679

offered by mr. biggs of arizona. the chair: the gentleman from arizona and member opposed, each will control five minutes. mr. biggs: my amendment is straightforward and nearly amendments the bioprograms that were established in title 9 in the farm bill some 16 years ago. they are the biorefinery chemical and product manufacturing assistance program, the biodiesel education program and rural america and biomass initiative, the feed tock program and biomass assistance program. president reagan said that there is nothing quite as everlasting as federal program and this, i'm hoping we can end some of these programs today. subsidies have no place in the

free market. if biofuels are to succeed, it should be based on the energy economy not because they receive taxpayer funds. i reserve the balance of my time. the chair: any member claim time in opposition to the amendment? the gentleman from illinois is recognized for five minutes. >> i thank the gentleman for his amendment however i believe it is misguided. the programs that the amendment would eliminate are not energy subsidies. these programs create market opportunities for america's farmers, ranchers in rural communities and these programs leverage private capital that have worked to revitalizing our communities. ile i support the biofuels program, it does not fund

ethanol pumps. the biggs amendment strikes initiatives that help farmers and ranchers improve energy efficiency in their operations and increase commercial opportunities for agricultural products. i urge my colleagues to oppose this amendment and i reserve. the chair: the gentleman reserves the balance of his time. the gentleman from arizona. mr. biggs: mr. chairman, i espect my colleague's reasoned opposition, although i disagree with him. i respect his passion and he and i will work on future projects, with this i continue to hold my position and urge the passage of my amendment. i reserve. the chair: the gentleman reserves the balance of his time. the gentleman from illinois. >> i would like to yield a minute to my good friend and colleague, mrs. noem. mrs. noem: i rise today in

opposition to the biggs' amendment as well. it would repeal the bioenergy programs that were established in the program. and they encourage investment in small towns. not only do they encourage renewable fuels and to me that is a national security issue but also creates jobs and investments that brings these benefits to our rural communities and our states and our country. and not only that, they create new demand for many agricultural products. h.r. 2r eliminates mandatory programs and reduces discretionary funding levels and this is not necessary because instead of improving successful programs, it repeals them eliminating their successes while not saving taxpayer money. i encourage my colleagues to vote against this amendment and i yield back. the chair: the gentleman from arizona. mr. biggs: i appreciate my

colleague's position and i regretfully must disagree and continue to urge passage of this amendment. i reserve. the chair: the gentleman reserves the balance of his time. the gentleman from illinois. >> thank you to my colleague from mr. biggs and we talked about this amendment will be to many of the constituents that i serve in rural america. i appreciate the opportunity to debate. that's what this house is about and that's what this process is about. and i would like to thank my colleague for offering this amendment, although i do disagree and i urge my colleagues to vote against it. and i yield back. the chair: the gentleman from arizona. mr. biggs: i urge passage of my amendment and i yield back. the chair: the question is on the amendment offered by the gentleman from arizona. those in favor say aye. those opposed, no. in the opinion of the chair, the noes have it. mr. biggs: i recall a roll call vote. the chair: further proceedings

on the amendment offered by the gentleman from arizona will be postponed. pursuant to clause 6 of rule 18, proceedings will resume on those amendments printed in house report 115-679. amendment number one, amendment number 3, amendment number 8, amendment number 13, and amendment number 16. the chair will reduce to two minutes the minimum time for any electronic vote after the first vote in this series. the unfinished business is request for a recorded vote on amendment number one printed in house report 115-679 offered by ms. foxx on which further proceedings were postponed. the clerk will redesignate the amendment. the clerk: amendment number 1 printed in house report 115-679 offered by ms. foxx of north carolina.

the chair: those in favor of a request of a recorded vote. this will be a 15-minute vote. [captioning made possible by the national captioning institute, inc., in cooperation with the united states house of representatives. any use of the closed-captioned coverage of the house proceedings for political or commercial purposes is expressly prohibited by the u.s. house of representatives.]

the chair: on this vote, the yeas are 137 and the nays are 278. the unfinished business is request for vote on amendment number three. on which further proceedings were postponed and the noes

prevailed. the clerk will redesignate the amendment. the clerk: amendment number 3 offered by mr. mcclintock of california. the chair: those in support of a recorded vote will rise and be counted. members, we are on two-minute vote series. this is a two-minute vote. [captioning made possible by the national captioning institute, inc., in cooperation with the united states house of representatives. any use of the closed-captioned coverage of the house proceedings for political or commercial purposes is expressly prohibited by the u.s. house of representatives.]

the chair: on this vote the yeas are 34, the nays are 38 06789 the amendment is not a-- 380. the amendment is not adopted.

the unfinished business is the request for a recorded vote on amendment number printed in house report 115-679 by the gentleman from california, mr. mcclintock, on which further proceedings were postponed and the noes prevailed by voice vote. the clerk: amendment number 8 printed in house report 115-679 offered by mr. mcclintock of california. the chair: a recorded vote having been requested, those in support of the request for a recorded vote will rise and be counted. a sufficient number having arisen, a recorded vote is ordered. members, be aware this is a two-minute vote. stay close to the floor. the members will record their vote by electronic device. this is a two-minute vote. [captioning made possible by the national captioning institute, inc., in cooperation with the united states house of representatives. any use of the closed-captioned coverage of the house proceedings for political or commercial purposes is expressly prohibited by the u.s. house of representatives.]

the chair: on this vote the yeas re 84, the nays are --

the chair: on this vote the yeas are 83, the nays are 330. the amendment is not adopted. members are reminded, this is a two-minute vote series that we are in. members are advised to stay close to the floor. the unfinished business is the request for a recorded vote on amendment number 13 printed in house report 115-679 by the ntleman from new york, mr. faso. the clerk: amendment number 13 printed in house report 115-679 offered by mr. faso of new york. the chair: a recorded vote having been requested, those in support of the request for a recorded vote will rise and be counted. a sufficient number having arisen, a recorded vote is ordered. members will record their votes by electronic device. this is a two-minute vote. [captioning made possible by the national captioning institute, inc., in cooperation with the united states house of representatives. any use of the closed-captioned coverage of the house proceedings for political or commercial purposes is expressly prohibited by the u.s. house of representatives.]

the chair: on this vote the yeas are 222, the nays are 192. the amendment is adopted. the unfinished business is the request for a recorded vote on amendment number 16 printed in house report 115-679 by the gentleman from arizona, mr. biggs. the clerk will redesignate the amendment. the clerk: amendment number 16 printed in house report 115-679 offered by mr. biggs of arizona. the chair: a recorded vote having been requested, those in support of the request for a recorded vote will rise and be counted. a sufficient number having arisen, a recorded vote is ordered. members, you have two minutes to place your vote on a recorded device. two-minute vote. [captioning made possible by the national captioning institute, inc., in cooperation with the united states house of representatives. any use of the closed-captioned coverage of the house proceedings for political or

commercial purposes is expressly prohibited by the u.s. house of representatives.]

the chair: on this vote the yeas are 74 --

the chair: on this vote the yeas are 75, the nays are 340. the amendment is not adopted. for what purpose does the gentleman from texas rise? mr. conaway: mr. chairman, i move the house -- the committee now rise. the chair: the question is on the motion that the committee rise. those in favor say aye. those opposed, no. the ayes have it. the motion is adopted. accordingly, the committee rises. the speaker pro tempore: mr. chairman. the chair: mr. speaker, the committee of the whole house on the state of the union directs know report it has come to no resolution thron. the speaker pro tempore: the

chairman of the committee of the house of the state of the union reports that the house has had under consideration h.r. 2 and has come to nos remain title of the resolution thereon. the chair declares the house in the committee of the whole house on the state of the union for the further consideration of h.r. 2. will the gentleman from georgia, mr. collins, kindly resume the chair. the chair: the house is in the committee of the whole house of the state of the union for the further consideration of h.r. 2. the clerk will report the title. the clerk: continuation of agriculture and other programs at the department of agriculture through fiscal year 2023, and for other purposes. the chair: when the committee of the whole rose earlier today the amendment number 20 printed in part c of house report 115-677 offered by the gentleman from texas had been disposed of. pursuant to clause 6 of rule 18, proceedings will now resume on those amendments printed in part c of house report 115-677 on which further proceedings were postponed and in the following order. amendment number 13, amendment

number 14, the chair will reduce to two minutes the minimum time for any electronic vote in this series. the unfinished business is the request for a recorded vote on amendment number 13 printed in part c of house report 115-677 by the gentleman from arkansas, mr. westerman, on which further proceedings were postponed and the ayes prevailed by voice vote. the clerk: amendment number 13 printed in part c of house report 115-677 offered by mr. westerman of arkansas. the chair: a recorded vote having been requested, those in support of the request for a recorded vote will rise and be counted. a sufficient number having arisen, a recorded vote is ordered. members, we are still under a two-minute vote series. two-minute vote series. members will record their vote by electronic device. this is a two-minute vote. [captioning made possible by the national captioning institute, inc., in cooperation with the united states house of representatives. any use of the closed-captioned coverage of the house proceedings for political or commercial purposes is expressly prohibited by the u.s. house of representatives.]

the chair: on this vote, the yeas are 224, the nays are 191. the amendment is adopt the unfinished business is the request for a recorded vote on amendment number 14 printed in ouse report 115-167 on which the ayes prevailed by voice vote. the clerk: amendment number 14 printed in house report 115-667 offered by mr. young of alaska. the chair: recorded vote having been requested, those in support of the request for a recorded vote will rise and remain standing to be counted.

a sufficient number having risen, a recorded vote is ordered. members will record their votes by electronic device. this is a two-minute vote. [captioning made possible by the national captioning institute, inc., in cooperation with the united states house of representatives. any use of the closed-captioned coverage of the house proceedings for political or commercial purposes is expressly prohibited by the u.s. house of epresentatives.]

the chair: on this vote the yeas are 208, the nays are 207. he amendment is adopted. there being no further amendments, the committee rises. mr. speaker, committee of the whole house on the state of the union direct knows report it has come to no resolution thereon. the speaker pro tempore: the chair of the committee of the whole house on the state of the union reports that the committee has had under consideration h.r. 2, and has come to no resolution thereon. pursuant to house resolution 900

and rule 18, the chair declares the house in the committee of the whole house on the state of the union for further consideration of h.r. 2. will the gentleman from georgia, mr. collins, kindly resume the chair. the chair: the house is in the committee of the whole house on the state of the union for the further consideration of h.r. 2. the clerk: a bill to provide for the reform and continuation of agricultural and other programs at the department of agriculture through fiscal year 2023 and for other purposes. the chair: when the committee of the whole rose earlier today, amendment number 16 printed in house report 115-679 offered by the gentleman from arizona had een disposed of.

he committee will be in order. the committee will be in order. it is now in order to consider amendment number 17 printed in rouse report 1 -- in house rose -- in house report 115-679. for what purpose does the gentleman from oklahoma seek recognition? >> mr. chairman, i have an amendment at the desk. the chair: the clerk will designate the amendment. the clerk: amendment number 17 printed in house report 115-679 offered by mr. russell of oklahoma. the chair: pursuant to house resolution 900, the gentleman from oklahoma, mr. rulls, and a member -- russell, and a member will be-- the committee in order.

the chair recognizes the gentleman from oklahoma. russ russ thank you, mr. chairman -- mr. russell: thank you, mr. chairman. mr. chairman, this amendment addresses but redirects -- it does not eliminate any funds from the value-added producer grants. these $18 million worth of grants are designed to generate new products, expand market opportunities and assist beginning and socially disadvantaged farmers, family farms and even veterans entering farming. unfortunately millions of these funds go to fund alcohol products. while there is nothing inherently wrong with alcohol products, the government funds that are used for promotion of these products through the program, we also note that the alcohol industry spends $7.6 million a year in lobbying costs. not only do these tax dollars used to fund the promotion of alcohol take away from nonalcohol-based farmers and ranchers, they also compete with the government itself.

every year we spend millions of dollars to curtail the use and abuse of alcohol. according to the centers for disease control, the impacts and loss of alcohol abuse results in $249 billion a year in economic workplace absence, health care loss, criminal justice expenses and vehicle crash costs. mr. chairman, it makes no sense that the government should spend money to both promote and curtail an industry. this amendment preserves the value-added grants for farmers that have no $8 million a year industry to lobby for them, and it ends the duplicitous practice of the government being both for and against something that costs the nation nearly $250 billion in annual economic loss. i urge my colleagues to support this amendment and i reserve the

balance of my time. the chair: for what purpose does the gentleman from washington seek recognition? the gentleman is recognized for five minutes. >> thank you, mr. speaker. i rise in strong opposition to the russell amendment, which if enacted would have a detrimental impact on producers across our nation, including many of my wine, grape and hops producers. mr. newhouse: as well as the beer and wine industry not only in my state but around the country. this amendment proposes to eliminate wine, distilled spirits, beer and other alcohol products from the value-added producer grant program administered by the usda. these industries in my state, and quite frankly across the nation, are a growing segment of our farm economy, producing -- providing thousands of jobs. it's also important to point out that -- the growing significance of wine and hops exports to their industries. last year my state exported $28

million of wine, representing 5% of our total production. in my home valley of the yak ma valley in the state of washington, we account for 75% of the u.s. production of hops. with the continued boom of microbreweries and the demand for hops, we must ensure we have available markets. our wine grape growers and the wine industry continue to face challenges in export markets such as the recent tariffs placed on our products by china. we are in an environment with potential changes in international trade and farmers are looking for more export markets. and i urge my colleagues to oppose any efforts to limit our farmers' ability to find markets for their products. i have two letters, mr. speaker, i'd like to submit for the record. one from the wine institute, wine america, distilled spirits council and the brewing association, and one from the specially crop farm bill alliance. the chair: the gentleman's request will be covered by general leave. mr. newhouse: mr. speaker, we should not be singling out key

agricultural industries under programs like this. we should not be picking winners and losers among our farmers. i urge my colleagues to strongly oppose the russell amendment. and i would at this moment, mr. speaker, i'd like to give two minutes to the gentlelady from maine to speak as well. the chair: the gentlelady is recognized. ms. pingree: thank you very much, mr. speaker. and thank you to my colleague from washington state. for yielding me the time and for speaking against this amendment. i'm voir i -- i'm sorry to say to my colleague from the other side of the aisle, i oppose this amendment, which would remove money from the highly successful value-added producer grant program. the base text of this farm bill already removes all mandatory funding from vapg. now this amendment would make a bad situation worse by rescinding $8 million from vapg. the value-added producer grant is one of the only grant programs that goes directly to farmers. at a time when the farm economy is hurting, we should be helping

farmers find new markets, not taking away opportunities to do so. usda's economic research service released a new report earlier this month. businesses that receive vapg support are less likely to fail than nonrecipient businesses, and businesses that receive this support also employ more workers than nonrecipient businesses. this amendment would also exclude beer, wine, distilled spirits and hard cider projects from being eligible for vapg. it is completely arbitrary and foolish to restrict these products. in my state of maine, there's been an explosion of craft breweries, distilleries and cideries that are contributing to the local economy. two years ago an orchard in maine received vapg money to increase production of hard cider and fruit wine. this provided the farmers with the opportunity to diversify revenue and reach new markets. this may be a very small program but it can make a big impact on farmers and rural communities in states like mine and across the

country. i urge my colleagues to oppose this amendment and i yield back. the chair: the gentlelady yields back the balance of her time. mr. newhouse: i'll reserve. the chair: the gentleman reserves the balance of his time. the gentleman from oklahoma. mr. russell: thank you, mr. chairman. bad situation worse. you want to see a bad situation, how about this. just in the district of columbia, 3.5 billion dollars in 2010 in direct economic costs. $179 billion of the total cost of alcohol consumption comes from a loss in workplace product tibity. now, mamplee -- productivity. now, mr. chairman, i don't have anything for or against or want to promote prohibition or anything of the like. the matter is that these crops can stand on their own. they receive $8 million a year, nearly $7.6 million, from the alcohol industry and lobbying costs. they already have their promoters, these crops can stand on their own. however, the $18 million in this

value-added fund, $8 million of that goes to the alcohol industry. so when we're talking about picking winners and losers, i think we've already seen who is being picked here. and it's the fleecing of the american people. what about those that are new farmers, family farms, even veterans that are trying to enter the farming industry, but they don't want to grow hops? maybe they want to grow something that we eat, that doesn't have a detrimental $250 billion a year of an impact. so, mr. chairman, i would argue that i'd probably have to be drunk to think that the government should both promote and curtail something at the same time. and i reserve the balance of my time. the chair: the gentleman reserves the balance of his time. the gentleman from washington. mr. newhouse: mr. speaker, i believe i have the right to close and so i would reserve my time. the chair: the gentleman from oklahoma has the right to close. mr. russell: it is my amendment.

mr. newhouse: then i have one speaker i'd like to yield the balance of my time to, mr. lucas from the state of oklahoma. the chair: the gentleman from oklahoma is recognized. mr. lucas: thank you, mr. chairman. i want to thank the gentleman from washington state for the opportunity to yield to me, to discuss this important issue. this amendment, some in the room might think perhaps will target the market access program. but in fact it is the value-added producer grant program. this is a program that supports and helps producers add value to the products that they raise. i would tell you my chief concern at this point in time, in the way this amendment has been offered, is about $8 million of the rescissions of this program would come out of current programs that farmers have already applied for. usda has already scored the applications, it's compiled proposals to make a decision and announcement on grant awards. thus the amendment wouldn't just adversely effect the small producer-owned wineries, but

producers across the board, including those from oklahoma, who have and expect to receive grants. that's not fair. if you played by the rules, if you've gone through the grant process, if you've qualified, suddenly to have $8 million taken out to punish a particular industry means that even though you might not be a part of that industry, you lose your opportunity to add value. maybe this is an issue that needs to be discussed in a different day, in a different way. but i ask my colleagues to reject this amendment. i have the greatest of respect for my fellow oklahoman. but on this occasion, let's turn this amendment back. i yield back the balance of my time, mr. chairman. the chair: the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. the gentleman from oklahoma. mr. russell: mr. chairman, how much time do i have left? the chair: the gentleman has a minute and a half remaining. mr. russell: thank you, mr. chairman. well, i certainly have the deepest respect for my colleague from oklahoma and he and i see eye-to-eye on most issues. but on this one it makes no sense that we spend nearly 40%

of the value-added program, which by the way i never addressed market access program, that was never even mentioned, but the value-added program is not adding value when $250 billion of economic cost hits the united states. $27 billion comes from health care expenses. $25 billion to criminal justice. $12.5 billion to vehicle crashes. we all pay for this. but why should we both promote and curtail it? we spend millions of dollars in the federal government to control and contain abuse and also rehabilitation programs. which are good. so we need to choose, mr. chairman. are we for something or are we against something? we may be one, we may be the other. but we cannot be both. and i reserve. the chair: the gentleman has the only to imremaining. mr. russell: thank you, mr. chairman. i'll close.

i know these are contentious issues but it's difficult to watch over time. this is not a partisan issue, it's an american issue. if we were holding this debate 30 years ago, you would have had a flip-flop. but as we've seen shift in parties and states and regions of the country, we might politically have parties go one direction or the other but it seems like the special interests remain in the middle. if we're really talking about promoting val-added crops and -- value-added crops and adding to the mark place, we don't need to add to the alcohol industry when we see millions given to them by lob gists. these crops can stand on their own and do it without the taxpayer subsidization and then our further spending to try to curtail it. i yield back, mr. speaker. the chair: the question is on the amendment offered by the gentleman from oklahoma.

those in favor say aye. those opposed, no. in the opinion of the chair the ayes have it. the amendment a agreed to. the gentleman from texas. ,ursuant to clause 6 of rule 18 further business on the measure will be postponed. it is now in order to consider amendment number 18 printed in house report 115-679. for what purpose does the gentleman from ohio seek recognition? mr. turner: i have an amendment at the desk. the chair: the clerk will designate the amendment. the clerk: amendment number 18 printed in house report 115-679, offered by mr. turner of ohio. the chair: the gentleman from ohio, mr. turner, and a member opposed each will control five minutes. thei