Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026

Floor Speech

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Ms. SCHRIER. Mr. Chair, I rise today in support of my amendment to the Farm, Food, and National Security Act that would codify the State Acres for Wildlife Enhancement, or SAFE Initiative.

The SAFE Initiative was established in 2007 as part of a Conservation Reserve Program. It helps landowners restore land that would otherwise be unproductive for agricultural purposes.

The initiative is unique in that it specifically supports wildlife populations by restoring critical habitats and providing food sources. This is great for agricultural producers, a win for wildlife and the environment, and it allows States to work toward their high priority conservation goals.

For example, in parts of Washington State, land enrolled in the SAFE Initiative can provide habitat for two of our native birds, the sage- grouse, and the core sharp-tailed grouse. There are fewer than 1,000 of these birds remaining, and a lot of their habitat is on private farms across our State. This program protects those species.

In other areas of the country, the program can be used to protect habitats for species like the New England cottontail, grassland birds, deer, and even pollinators.

This program is entirely voluntary and gives farmers an opportunity to earn money through land that they no longer can use or they may not need.

I have heard from farmers who are thrilled to have this opportunity to restore their land, which of course, benefits them financially but also protects habitat, improves soil health, limits erosion, and sequesters carbon.

Instead of producing lower and lower yields or being forced to sell their land, farmers can receive annual rental payments and additional financial assistance to establish long-term, easy-to-implement conservation practices, like increasing vegetative cover.

This program is a commonsense solution that gives farmers an opportunity to diversify their income while ensuring their land can be used by future generations. It is great for the environment. It is phenomenal for our Nation's farmers, and it creates lasting State partnerships with producers.

It is past time for this initiative to be signed into law, and I urge my colleagues to support my amendment that would codify the SAFE Initiative and ensure land can be continuously enrolled in this program.

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Ms. SCHRIER. Mr. Chair, again, I encourage my colleagues to vote to codify this SAFE Initiative program, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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