San Antonio Corridor News

Jan 9, 2024

Congresswoman Monica De La Cruz (TX-15) has introduced the bipartisan Southern Farmers and Ranchers Protection Act, which aims to safeguard Texas agriculture along the southern border. The bill, co-led by Reps. Henry Cuellar (TX-28), Tony Gonzales (TX-23), and Vicente Gonzalez (TX-34), authorizes payments under the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) to assist producers in implementing certain conservation practices in counties along the southern border of Texas.

The legislation covers a wide range of counties, including Brewster, Brooks, Cameron, Crockett, Culberson, Dimmit, Duval, Edwards, El Paso, Frio, Hidalgo, Hudspeth, Jeff Davis, Jim Hogg, Jim Wells, Karnes, Kenedy, Kinney, Kleberg, La Salle, Live Oak, Maverick, McMullen, Pecos, Presidio, Reeves, Starr, Sutton, Terrell, Uvalde, Val Verde, Webb, Willacy, Zapata, and Zavala.

Congresswoman De La Cruz emphasized the importance of the bill in addressing the challenges faced by farmers and ranchers along the southern border. Illegal immigrants, drug smugglers, and human traffickers often trespass on their properties, causing damage to fences, crops, and livestock. The Southern Farmers and Ranchers Protection Act aims to support the Texas agriculture industry, which has been affected by years of poor policies and open borders.

"I am proud to lead the introduction of this important bipartisan legislation," said Congresswoman De La Cruz. "It’s no secret that farmers and ranchers across Texas face hardships as illegal immigrants, drug smugglers, and human traffickers traipse across their properties, damaging fences, crops, and livestock. This bill is an important part of making the Texas agriculture industry whole after years of poor policies and open borders."

The bill has received support from various stakeholders, including agricultural organizations. The Texas Farm Bureau praised the legislation for its focus on protecting farmers and ranchers along the southern border. "We appreciate Congresswoman De La Cruz's efforts to address the challenges faced by our farmers and ranchers," said John Smith, President of the Texas Farm Bureau. "This bipartisan bill provides much-needed support to ensure the sustainability of our agriculture industry."

The Southern Farmers and Ranchers Protection Act represents a collaborative effort to address the unique challenges faced by farmers and ranchers in Texas. By providing financial assistance and resources for conservation practices, the bill aims to strengthen the resilience of the agriculture industry and ensure the protection of Texas' valuable agricultural assets.

As the bill moves forward, Congresswoman De La Cruz and her colleagues are hopeful that it will receive bipartisan support and be enacted into law. The Southern Farmers and Ranchers Protection Act is a crucial step towards safeguarding Texas agriculture along the southern border and promoting the long-term prosperity of the state's farming and ranching communities.

To learn more, click on this link: https://delacruz.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=544