The bottom line is that many Illinois farmers are having trouble making ends meet and farms are shutting down because federal agricultural policies do not provide sufficient solutions. Agriculture is critical to both the economy of America and Illinois. Including related industries, agriculture is the nation's largest employer. When I entered the U.S. Senate last month, I worked hard to secure a seat on the Senate Agriculture Committee so that our state and our farmers could have a strong voice in Washington. Farmers need open overseas markets for farm and food products.
Illinois farmers depend on foreign trade for their economic well-being.
But over the last three years, farm exports dropped nationwide, putting many Illinois farmers at risk. Congress and U.S. trade officials should work to ensure that American farmers are able to sell their products in the world market. In my first legislative act as Senator, I joined four colleagues to introduce legislation requiring U.S. trade officials to make eliminating agriculture trade barriers a top priority in U.S. trade negotiations, so that our farmers can compete on a level playing field and fight for a better share of retail agriculture sales. I support fast-track trade negotiating authority, so that the Administration can be in a better position to tear down international trade barriers. We must, at the same time, work to ensure that our trading partners adhere to all existing trade agreements.