Agriculture
Illinois family farmers know it’s more difficult to farm on the same land today that their predecessors farmed on generations ago. A changing world has brought new challenges, and I’m working to ensure Illinois remains a productive and sustainable hub for agriculture.
On the House Committee on Agriculture, I am our farmer’s trusted voice in Congress, making sure they have support to expand markets for their agricultural goods, get their crops insured against extreme weather events, and have their way of life protected for generations to come.
On the Committee, I will support rural communities on the General Farm Commodities, Risk Management, and Credit Subcommittee and the Conservation, Research, and Biotechnology Subcommittee.
More on Agriculture
Congressman Eric Sorensen (IL-17) and Congresswoman Ashley Hinson (IA-02) introduced their bipartisan Flood Resiliency and Land Stewardship Act, which would improve flood and drought mitigation in agricultural communities across Illinois through existing U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) conservation programs.
Congressman Eric Sorensen (IL-17) today announced more than $1 million in U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development grants awarded to local farmers through the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP). These investments will help farmers across the 17th District reduce energy costs, improve efficiency, and continue feeding America with more sustainable operations.
Congressman Eric Sorensen (IL-17) announced a major victory for the Peoria region, as the National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research (NCAUR), also known as the Peoria Ag Lab, will remain open and is even slated for growth. The release of the administration’s Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) Agriculture Research Service (ARS) budget proposal includes potential growth for the NCAUR with research expansion.
Today, Congressman Eric Sorensen (IL-17) voted no against Republican’s partisan big billionaire bailout that makes massive cuts to the SNAP food assistance program and Medicaid health insurance to pay for a huge tax break for billionaires.
Congressman Eric Sorensen (IL-17) is preparing to defend access to food for working families, children, seniors, and veterans as the House Agriculture Committee meets to consider a Republican proposal to cut over $300 billion from critical programs. These cuts are expected to fall almost entirely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which helps more than 42 million Americans—including over 16 million children—afford groceries.
WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Eric Sorensen (IL-17) has joined a bipartisan group of lawmakers to reintroduce the Youth Lead Act, a bill aimed at helping youth organizations like the Future Farmers of America (FFA), 4-H, and the Scouts continue to grow and thrive. The legislation highlights the importance of building leadership and life skills in young people across the country.
WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Eric Sorensen (IL-17) has joined a bipartisan group of lawmakers in co-sponsoring the Prevent Tariff Abuse Act, a bill aimed at protecting American families, workers, and farmers from unfair and unnecessary tax hikes disguised as “emergency” tariffs. The bill makes it clear that no president should be able to raise taxes on everyday Americans without approval from Congress.