Recognizing the need for greater access to rural and agricultural media programming.

IV 118TH CONGRESS 1ST SESSION H. RES. 451 Recognizing the need for greater access to rural and agricultural media programming. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES MAY 26, 2023 Mr. POSEY (for himself, Ms. PETTERSEN, Mr. LAMALFA, and Ms. CARAVEO) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Agriculture RESOLUTION Recognizing the need for greater access to rural and agricultural media programming. Whereas individuals living in rural areas in the United States need access to media content that is relevant to their daily lives; Whereas rural and agricultural programming includes agri- cultural weather, agribusiness news, commodity market news, and western sports, and this programming is im- portant to the farmers and ranchers of the United States for their way of life and making a living; Whereas rural and agricultural programming covers matters that affect all individuals in the United States; VerDate Sep 11 2014 20:27 May 26, 2023 Jkt 039200 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\HR451.IH HR451 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS 2 •HRES 451 IH Whereas all individuals in the United States need to be ex- posed to, and informed about, what is occurring outside of the major cities and suburbs of the United States; Whereas all individuals in the United States feel the effects of inflation and supply chain shortages, and rural and agricultural programming is in a unique position to in- form viewers of the roots of these issues; Whereas the population of the world is projected to grow from 7,000,000,000 to approximately 9,000,000,000 by 2050, and agricultural productivity will need to increase to meet the growing demand for food and the projected increase in consumption; Whereas a decrease in investment in agricultural research and development would result in a negative shock to agri- cultural productivity; Whereas an informed public is key to supporting the proper level of investment in agricultural research and develop- ment; Whereas significant consolidation in the media market and prioritization of consolidated media has had a negative impact on access to rural and agricultural programming; and Whereas multichannel video programming distributors and providers of digital and streaming media should make de- livery of rural and agricultural programming, including agricultural news and western lifestyle content, a priority: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the House of Representatives recog- 1 nizes the importance of rural and agricultural program- 2 VerDate Sep 11 2014 20:27 May 26, 2023 Jkt 039200 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\HR451.IH HR451 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS 3 •HRES 451 IH ming and the need for greater access to rural and agricul- 1 tural media programming. 2 Æ VerDate Sep 11 2014 20:27 May 26, 2023 Jkt 039200 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6301 E:\BILLS\HR451.IH HR451 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS