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
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Eric Sorensen (IL-17) led 14 of his Illinois colleagues, including Senators Durbin and Duckworth, calling on the administration to refrain from their efforts to reduce the Peoria Ag Lab workforce. The letter warns Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins and Dr. Rosalind James, Midwest Area Director of the USDA’s Agricultural Research Service, that such a move would undermine the lab’s ability to support farmers, strengthen food security, and drive economic growth.
WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Eric Sorensen (IL-17) issued the following statement after the Department of Treasury released their proposed guidance for the Clean Fuels Production Credit (45Z), a critical step in supporting Illinois farmers, lowering transportation costs, and investing in sustainable fuel sources:
ROCK ISLAND, IL – Today, Congressman Eric Sorensen (IL-17) sent a letter to Deere & Company’s leadership demanding answers regarding their recently announced round of layoffs.
ROCK ISLAND, IL – Today, Congressman Eric Sorensen (IL-17) released the following statement on the news of an additional round of layoffs at Deere & Company.
A local congressmen says John Deere isn’t planning any more layoffs. U.S. Rep. Eric Sorensen met with company officials last week, and said they told him there are no planned “workforce changes.” Sorensen wanted the sit-down with Deere after the company announced 1,500 layoffs in July. Sorensen said he is concerned about the jobs that are leaving the Quad Cities for Mexico, and said he planned to fight for local workers here. Sorensen, who represents eastern Mercer County, said the company assured him that there are no plans to move the company headquarters from Moline.
MOLINE, Ill. — U.S. Rep. Eric Sorensen (D), IL-17, met with John Deere leadership this week at the company's headquarters in Moline. Sorensen, who represents the Illinois Quad Cities area, said the meeting was to get answers on recent layoffs and future plans for Deere.
Since May, the company has announced layoffs impacting more than 1,500 workers at its production facilities and headquarters.
On Wednesday, August 22, 2024, WREX Channel 13 in Rockford reported on the status of the Farm Bill, which sets national agriculture policy for the next five years.
Sorensen, member of the House Agriculture Committee, submitted the following comment on the bill's status:
A member of the House Ag Committee says the U.S. government needs to ensure dedicated annual funding for the inland waterway system.
Eric Sorenson, who represents Illinois’ 17th district, tells Brownfield…
“I want to see this as part of the President’s budget.” He says, “We’ve got to make sure that we understand that the lock and dam system is as much infrastructure as a bridge over the river, an airport, or a railroad.”
He says a recent tour of Lock and Dam 16 on the Mississippi River demonstrated the need for modernization.