HUTCHINSON, Kan. — U.S. Rep. Tracey Mann said Friday he remains optimistic Congress can make progress on a new farm bill and major transportation legislation when lawmakers return to Washington next month.
Mann, who represents Kansas' 1st Congressional District said lawmakers have already addressed several major agricultural priorities through legislation passed last year, including changes to crop insurance, Agriculture Risk Coverage and Price Loss Coverage programs and higher reference prices.
Still, he said additional work remains on what has been described as a "skinny farm bill."
"I'm still pretty optimistic we're going to get something done," Mann said. "Really would like to get that passed this year, way overdue to get some certainty for our farmers and get a five-year farm bill finally passed."
Mann, a member of the House Agriculture Committee, said he expects the Senate to continue work on the legislation when lawmakers return in September.
He also expressed support for year-round sales of E15 gasoline, which contains 15% ethanol. Mann said he supports the provision whether it advances as part of the farm bill or through separate legislation.
"As long as it gets passed, that's fine by me," Mann said.
Mann also discussed a highway bill being developed through the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, where he also serves.
He said the proposal includes significant investments in highways and bridges and, for the first time, would require electric vehicle owners to contribute to the Highway Trust Fund through an annual fee.
"I think most people would agree, whether they own an electric vehicle or not, that it's only fair that everyone should be paying into the trust fund to make sure that we have good roads, bridges and transportation in this country," Mann said.
Agricultural conditions were another focus of the interview.
Mann said farmers continue to face pressure from higher input costs, lower commodity prices and drought conditions in portions of Kansas. He said cattle prices remain strong, but crop producers have faced difficult conditions.
"Things are tough on the family farm," Mann said. "You look at input costs, how they've increased, commodity prices are low, certain parts of our state around this area included, and we were in a severe drought."
Mann also noted the importance of cattle production in western and central Kansas, saying the 1st Congressional District is the nation's leading beef-producing congressional district.
Looking ahead to September, Mann said government funding will be among Congress' most immediate priorities because the federal fiscal year ends Sept. 30.
He said there appears to be bipartisan support for temporarily extending government funding into December.
"Government funding is going to be front and center," Mann said. "Beyond that, I want to get a farm bill advanced. I want to get the highway bill moved forward."
Mann said his district stops Friday included McPherson, Hutchinson and Hillsboro. While in Hutchinson, he also planned to tour the city's new YMCA.