Souder, Goodlatte Discuss Trade, Agriculture, Economy
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
U.S. House Agriculture Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte and U.S. Rep. Mark Souder were in Kosciusko County Friday to discuss agriculture, the economy and international trade.
Souder, who was in Warsaw for a fund-raiser at Bistro A Lago, said he believes the economy has been struggling because of the events of Sept. 11, 2001, combined with the Enron scandal and the pressures of oil demands on the economy.
But, he said, the basic signs of improvement are there, such as an unemployment rate that is starting to fall. The tax cuts now being distributed also will give the economy a boost, he said, adding that the change in the economy won't be fast and furious, but will be steady.
Parts of northeast Indiana, Souder said, could be further behind than other areas of the country, but that's because of Indiana's own problems that need to be addressed.
Souder said Kosciusko County is different from most of Indiana because companies such as Explorer Van and the orthopedic companies are thriving.
As for agriculture in this economy, Souder is optimistic about produce markets and hopes milk prices will improve. Each product is different, Souder said, but he's now more optimistic about agriculture in the short term.
Goodlatte said this has been a good year in terms of crop production. There hasn't been a drought this year in parts of the country as there was last year. But because of too much rain, some crops have failed in parts of the country this year.
How this will affect crop prices, Goodlatte said, is too early to tell. He is cautiously optimistic this will be a good year for agriculture and about the long term.
Agriculture has many international competitors, Goodlatte said, but international trade is always a constant challenge. Basic commodities, he said, in the future will be turned into more specific products.
The big issue is trade and Goodlatte said Congress must continue to keep pressure on the issue.
Goodlatte said the war with Iraq hasn't had much effect on trade. More U.S. troops are present in places others do not want to see them, but the military helps keep trade flowing.
"Trade is growing at a rapid pace," Goodlatte said, and that's in part because the U.S. is a leader in free trade and foreign policy. The agricultural business is helping bring a lot of money into the U.S., he said. [[In-content Ad]]
U.S. House Agriculture Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte and U.S. Rep. Mark Souder were in Kosciusko County Friday to discuss agriculture, the economy and international trade.
Souder, who was in Warsaw for a fund-raiser at Bistro A Lago, said he believes the economy has been struggling because of the events of Sept. 11, 2001, combined with the Enron scandal and the pressures of oil demands on the economy.
But, he said, the basic signs of improvement are there, such as an unemployment rate that is starting to fall. The tax cuts now being distributed also will give the economy a boost, he said, adding that the change in the economy won't be fast and furious, but will be steady.
Parts of northeast Indiana, Souder said, could be further behind than other areas of the country, but that's because of Indiana's own problems that need to be addressed.
Souder said Kosciusko County is different from most of Indiana because companies such as Explorer Van and the orthopedic companies are thriving.
As for agriculture in this economy, Souder is optimistic about produce markets and hopes milk prices will improve. Each product is different, Souder said, but he's now more optimistic about agriculture in the short term.
Goodlatte said this has been a good year in terms of crop production. There hasn't been a drought this year in parts of the country as there was last year. But because of too much rain, some crops have failed in parts of the country this year.
How this will affect crop prices, Goodlatte said, is too early to tell. He is cautiously optimistic this will be a good year for agriculture and about the long term.
Agriculture has many international competitors, Goodlatte said, but international trade is always a constant challenge. Basic commodities, he said, in the future will be turned into more specific products.
The big issue is trade and Goodlatte said Congress must continue to keep pressure on the issue.
Goodlatte said the war with Iraq hasn't had much effect on trade. More U.S. troops are present in places others do not want to see them, but the military helps keep trade flowing.
"Trade is growing at a rapid pace," Goodlatte said, and that's in part because the U.S. is a leader in free trade and foreign policy. The agricultural business is helping bring a lot of money into the U.S., he said. [[In-content Ad]]