Category: Statements
Immunocompromised Individuals Need Additional COVID Protection
As many as seven million immunocompromised people in the U.S. currently have limited options for protection against COVID-19. These include those with organ transplants, cancer, HIV and many autoimmune diseases. The National Grange joined Healthy Women and other national patient advocacy groups to urge Food and Drug Commissioner Califf to explore additional vaccine and treatment … Continue reading “Immunocompromised Individuals Need Additional COVID Protection”
National Grange Supports Rail Shipping Reforms
The National Grange joined 89 other agricultural groups in a letter to the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee supporting the Freight Rail Shipping Fair Market Act. The Act would help to balance the scales for agricultural shippers when dealing with rail carriers by allowing private car owners to charge demurrage fees to rail shippers, … Continue reading “National Grange Supports Rail Shipping Reforms”
Grange Opposes Tax Hikes on Family-Owned Businesses in Budget Reconciliation
The National Grange and nearly 200 state and national signatories sent a letter to Senate and House leadership opposing tax increases on small, individually-owned, family-owned and closely-held businesses, farms and ranches. These new tax rates, which are being considered by Congress in its budget reconciliation negotiations, would be an increase in the Net Investment Income … Continue reading “Grange Opposes Tax Hikes on Family-Owned Businesses in Budget Reconciliation”
National Grange Supports Pole Attachment Guidelines for Broadband
Utility poles are vital infrastructure for the expansion of high-speed broadband into rural America. Fair, equitable, cost-effective and timely access to poles are the lynch pin to rural broadband deployment. Read the letter from National Grange to FCC Commissioners.
Patent trolls threaten efforts to expand rural broadband and smart agriculture.
Insufficient access to high-speed broadband in rural America not only hurts rural residents but also undermines the U.S. food supply chain and the future of American farmers. Gaining access to high-speed broadband obviously requires strong infrastructure, but as important, it requires ready access to the smart devices that connect to it. We must support … Continue reading “Patent trolls threaten efforts to expand rural broadband and smart agriculture.”
The National Grange urges to reclassify 911 operators as emergency response workers
The National Grange is urging the Office of Management and Budget to reclassify 911 operators as emergency response workers. The 911 operator is a critical link in the first responder network. Operators give assistance and life-saving advice to 911 callers in the critical minutes before emergency personnel arrive. They should be reclassified from clerical to … Continue reading “The National Grange urges to reclassify 911 operators as emergency response workers”
Federal Investments in research, education and extension programs are critical to the sustainability of agriculture production
The National Grange joined a group of 51 agriculture, food, scientific and educational organizations on a letter to the House and Senate appropriations agriculture subcommittees to recommend full funding for research, education and extension programs in the final FY22 appropriations package. These programs within USDA are necessary to ensure agriculture resilience, nutrition security, and … Continue reading “Federal Investments in research, education and extension programs are critical to the sustainability of agriculture production”
National Grange Urges Reconsideration of New Alzheimer’s Drug
The mortality rate for Alzheimer’s and related dementias is higher in rural areas than urban centers. The Grange is urging HHS Secretary to allow access to the drug for rural residents. Click here to read the letter.
National Grange Urges the Senate to Vote for Postal Reform
The House of Representatives passed The Postal Service Reform Act on a bipartisan vote of 342-192. The Senate expects to vote on their companion bill the week of February 14. The National Grange is urging its passage. Click here to read the letter.
National Grange Supports Postal Reform Efforts in the House
The National Grange is championing postal reform initiatives to strengthen the United States Postal Service and assure continuation mail and package delivery to rural residents. Legislation, H.R. 3076, headed to the House floor for a vote incorporates most Grange priorities for postal reform. Click here to read the letter.
National Grange Files Broadband Priorities With NTIA
The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) will distribute $43.5 billion in broadband grants to states. National Grange stresses funding priorities, oversight and accountability. Click here to read the letter.
National Grange Supports Medicare Coverage for more vaccines for infectious diseases
 Preventing infectious diseases with vaccines is critical to rural communities. Congress must remove financial barriers to vaccination for seniors under Medicare Part D. The more seniors must pay for their vaccines, the less likely they are to get vaccinated. Click here to read the letter.
Op Ed: Let’s Make Vaccines Affordable for Rural Seniors
Opinion Editorial: Betsy Huber, The National Grange If the pandemic should have taught us one thing, it is that older Americans need affordable access to vaccines. Unfortunately, Medicare has a system that doesn’t make that as easy as it should. Ironically, younger, employed adults typically pay nothing for vaccines, while those with Medicare, who are … Continue reading “Op Ed: Let’s Make Vaccines Affordable for Rural Seniors”
National Grange Supports Cattle Market Price Discovery and Transparency Act
The National Grange expresses its support for the Cattle Market Price Discovery and Transparency Act, a bill which will increase fairness in cattle markets and hopefully increase sales prices for producers and decrease purchase prices for consumers. Click here to read the letter.
National Grange Asks House Lawmakers to Pass the Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act
The National Grange and 42 organizations representing agriculture, education, health care, veterans, technology and small business are calling on Congress to permanently eliminate the digital divide. Click here to read the letter.
