U.S. Rep. Melanie Stansbury

From the Office of U.S. Rep. Melanie Stansbury:

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Rep. Melanie Stansbury (N.M.-01) submitted requests  today for the Farm Bill to the House Committee on Agriculture.

The submissions include her Water Data Act, increasing funding for food assistance, and improving our agricultural infrastructure. 

“I am thrilled to submit lifechanging requests to reshape the Farm Bill to fill the gaps to help our communities in New Mexico thrive,” Rep. Stansbury said. “New Mexico is a farming and ranching powerhouse, which is why my office worked diligently to ensure the voices of New Mexicans were centered in all our submissions. From addressing unprecedented drought, to improving our food systems and food security for our communities—these submissions will greatly help improve our rural communities. I cannot wait to see the results we deliver.”

Rep. Stansbury submitted the following: 

• Water Data Act – This bipartisan, bicameral legislation will unlock the power of data to empower communities, farmers, water managers, and local governments across the nation with the tools they need to transform and modernize the way we manage water across the nation. This legislation has a wide range of supporters and endorsements, from environmental justice groups to the Family Farm Alliance.
• The Emergency Food Assistance Program – This program provides emergency food assistance to low-income Americans. Rep. Stansbury asked for increased funding, including for food bank program administration, increased access to culturally-relevant foods to ensure communities can access foods they know and love, Tribal administration of programs and extended authorities to purchase bonus commodities to respond to demand fluctuations. New Mexico placed last in child welfare in the annual Annie E. Casey Foundation’s Kids COUNT data book and these increases will help ensure every child has access to nutritious food. 
• Agricultural and conservation requests from the community, including PFAS remediation, reforestation, watershed protection, reducing water conflict and improving soil health.