U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood hosted a coffee club of sorts with community members Monday morning at Dairy Queen in Carthage.
There was significant discussion about the importance of agriculture in West Central Illinois.
“My district is the ninth-largest district in the country ... in terms of corn and soybean production,” said LaHood, a Republican who represents the state’s 18th Congressional District. “There’s lots of issues that affect agriculture, and I’ve tried to be the strongest advocate for ag in Washington, D.C.”
He has established an Ag Advisory Committee in his Congressional district, comprised of two farmers from each of the 19 counties he represents.
“It’s a diverse group – corn and soybean (producers), but also livestock, specialty crops, people that own grain elevators, people that are involved in transportation,” LaHood said. “We’re looking at how we can get the government out of the way, in many respects, and let the farmers do what they do best. In my perspective, farmers are the best stewards of the land.”
He has a record of opposition to proposed regulations that he believes are not in the best interest of farmers.
“Government, whether that’s the (Environmental Protection Agency) or the Waters of the U.S. (rule), whether that’s issues pertaining to regulation – our farmers continue to have to jump through hurdles and hoops when it comes to regulators,” LaHood said. “So reducing the regulations, I think, is very, very important. Waters of the U.S. is a proposed rule by the EPA that I have continually fought against. I voted three different times (and) sponsored bills to undo Waters of the U.S.”
He added that he’s also worked to promote ethanol, support crop insurance and collaborate with the Army Corps of Engineers “to ensure that farmers’ voices are being heard when it comes to (river) transportation.”
‘Frustration’ about nation’s future
Other topics brought up during the coffee stop included taxes and immigration, particularly in light of the upcoming general election.
“I think there’s generally frustration out there among people on the direction of the country,” LaHood said. “I’ve tried to focus my time in Washington on fiscal responsibility, less government, and ethics and transparency in government. Those are three areas that, as a former state and federal prosecutor, (help me) bring some of those perspectives to D.C.”
He enjoys hearing directly from Carthage-area constituents about issues that matter to them, he said.
“That’s what an event like this is all about – coming out here and letting people know what you’re up to and hearing from them,” LaHood said. “It doesn’t mean you’re going to agree with them every single time, but giving them an opportunity to talk to me so I can take that voice back to Washington, D.C., is really, really important.
“I’ve been back (in my district) almost every single weekend since I got elected in September (2015), and haven’t missed a vote yet in Congress. I’m going to continue to be a strong, vocal advocate.”
