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
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.
A Congressman representing this area and parts of western and central Illinois says he still wants to see a new Farm Bill passed, even if no one else does.
17th District Democrat Eric Sorensen says lawmakers in Congress have tried in recent years to get a Farm Bill up for a vote in both chambers, but it just hasn’t gotten as far as he or they would like.
A member of the U.S. House Ag Committee says his constituents need a modernized farm bill.
Illinois Democrat Eric Sorenson says it was the top topic of conversation during his visit to the Illinois State Fair.
“The reference price problem that we have, that was one thing that was hot on people’s minds.” He says, “Then also the big question, ‘Are we going to get a farm bill, who’s pushing for it? What is the holdup?’
PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) — Peoria City Councilwoman Denise Jackson had a federal lawmaker come to a South Peoria park in an effort to get federal funding to help with the area’s food insecurity.
Jackson, who represents South Peoria on the council, asked U.S. Rep. Eric Sorensen to come Sunday to Trewyn Park to see what Market 309 is all about and in turn, see if the lawmaker could find some money to address the area’s “food desert” in the 61605 ZIP code.
PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) — Peoria City Councilwoman Denise Jackson had a federal lawmaker come to a South Peoria park in an effort to get federal funding to help with the area’s food insecurity.
Jackson, who represents South Peoria on the council, asked U.S. Rep. Eric Sorensen to come Sunday to Trewyn Park to see what Market 309 is all about and in turn, see if the lawmaker could find some money to address the area’s “food desert” in the 61605 ZIP code.
On Saturday, July 27, 2024, Congressman Eric Sorensen (IL-17) appeared on Agri-Pulse Newsmakers to discuss how climate policy relates to smart agriculture policy and agriculture policy moving forward beyond 2024.