James R. Baird

Congressman Baird Votes to Support Indiana Farmers and Make E-15 Available Year-Round

Position: Congressman Baird supports H.R. 1346, the Nationwide Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act, which would make E-15 fuel available year-round. He argues the legislation will benefit corn farmers, strengthen rural economies, lower energy costs, reduce dependence on foreign energy, and support domestic manufacturing.

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Jim Baird (IN-04) released the following statement after voting in favor of H.R. 1346, the Nationwide Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act: “For states like Indiana and districts like mine, this legislation is not just about fuel policy. Year-round E-15 nationwide will support the countless corn farmers in my district, strengthen our rural economies, and lower energy costs for hardworking families. This legislation will provide a strong, reliable market for corn farmers in Indiana, giving them more confidence to plan for the future. E-15 is also an American-made fuel that will help us reduce our dependence on foreign energy while supporting domestic manufacturing and agriculture. This is key to unleashing American energy dominance and reducing prices at the gas pump. I was proud to join with my House colleagues to pass this legislation, and I strongly urge the Senate to quickly take up and pass this critical bill so it can be signed into law.”

Congressman Baird Votes to Pass 2026 Farm Bill, Supporting Farmers and Increasing Economic Certainty for Rural America

Position: Congressman Baird voted to pass the 2026 Farm Bill, which he supports as beneficial to farmers and rural economic stability. He highlights his included provisions aimed at strengthening agricultural infrastructure and farmer support.

Today, Congressman Jim Baird (IN-04) voted to pass the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 out of the U.S. House of Representatives. This legislation will support key components of America’s agricultural economy and support Hoosier farmers through every season. “I am extremely proud to represent a rural district where agriculture is not just part of the economy, it is the economy,” said Congressman Baird. “Our landscape is defined by corn and soybean fields that feed our country, fuel our bioeconomy, and supply global markets. The Farm Bill supports the very future of communities like mine.” “I am proud of the work I have done on this bill, and I am also very pleased that several of my priorities are included in this bill: the Increased TSP Access Act, Strengthening Local Processing Act, NSF and USDA Interagency Research Act, and the Plant Biostimulant Act,” said Congressman Baird. “Each of these provisions will provide necessary support to our farmers and our great agriculture industry. I urge the Senate to take up this bill and quickly pass it to deliver the certainty our farmers deserve.” Congressman Baird’s Provisions 2026 within the Farm Bill:

Congressman Baird Congressman Baird Votes on Resolution to Unlock Funding for Homeland Security, Prioritize Safety

Congressman Jim Baird (IN-04) released the following statement after voting in favor of S. Con. Res. 33, the budget resolution to begin the process of fully funding the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS): “Hoosiers’ safety and the security of our nation are top priorities of mine, which is why I was proud to vote for this resolution to create a vehicle to fully fund the Department of Homeland Security,” said Congressman Baird. “For 75 days, congressional Democrats have refused to fund DHS, depriving thousands of critical employees of their paychecks and the funding necessary to do their jobs. This directly impacts Americans’ safety. Republicans are ensuring vital agencies like the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Border Patrol, the U.S. Coast Guard, and the U.S. Secret Service are wholly supported. These agencies provide disaster relief to communities in times of need, safeguard our maritime and border security, strengthen our cybersecurity, and protect the president and members of the Cabinet. In light of another assassination attempt against President Trump and growing threats from our adversaries, the number one priority of Congress must be the safety and security of the American people.”

Congressman Baird’s Legislation to Increase Interagency Collaboration on Export Decisions Passes House Foreign Affairs Committee

Position: Congressman Baird supports legislation that increases interagency coordination on U.S. export controls by allowing the Departments of Energy, State, and War to propose new rules alongside Commerce and requiring three of four departments to agree before implementation, with specific attention to preventing China's acquisition of advanced American technologies.

Today, Congressman Jim Baird (IN-04) released the following statement after his bill, the Interagency Coordination in Export Controls Act, passed out of the House Foreign Affairs Committee: “Exports are the lifeblood of our economy on a global scale,” said Congressman Baird. “Our export controls process drastically affects our defense, diplomatic, and energy ecosystems. China is notorious for importing and stealing American and allied civilian technologies and maliciously using them in support of its military. We cannot allow our advanced technologies to give China the upper hand. Strengthening cross-departmental input will help prevent this. I was grateful to see the House Foreign Affairs Committee pass my legislation to reform our export controls process and strengthen our national security. I thank my friend, Chairman Mast, for his leadership, and I hope this legislation comes before the full U.S. House soon.” The Export Administration Review Board (EARB) is an advisory panel consisting of the U.S. Departments of Commerce, Energy, State, and War. The panel advises the Secretary of Commerce on decisions regarding U.S. Export Controls, the rules regarding exports. The Department of Commerce is currently the only agency that can write new rules on export controls. The Interagency Coordination in Export Controls Act allows the other three agencies to propose new rules and requires three out of four departments to agree on export controls before final implementation. Additionally, the legislation requires the Secretary of State to consider the implications of China’s military-civil fusion strategy for U.S. export controls and consider proposing corresponding policies to the other agencies for a vote. Military-civil fusion is an aggressive strategy from the Chinese Communist Party to develop the most technologically advanced military in the world, in part by eliminating barriers between China’s civilian research and commercial sectors and its military and defense industrial sectors, as well as by acquiring and diverting the world’s cutting-edge technologies, often by theft.

Congressman Baird Introduces Legislation to Increase STEM Prowess in the Foreign Service

Position: Congressman Baird introduced legislation requiring all Foreign Service officers to receive training on STEM concepts and emerging technologies as part of their orientation, arguing that such training is necessary to counter adversarial technological advances and strengthen U.S. diplomatic efforts.

Congressman Jim Baird (IN-04) introduced the Tech Diplomacy Training Act (H.R. 8212) to ensure all Foreign Service officers receive training on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) concepts prior to being stationed abroad. “Training in STEM is paramount in our increasingly digital security landscape, especially as our adversaries pursue advances in artificial intelligence, surveillance technology, and next-generation communications infrastructure,” said Congressman Baird. “As diplomats, our Foreign Service officers need to have a background in science and technology. Our adversaries, primarily Communist China, use technology for exploitative purposes. As technology continues to rapidly evolve, our diplomatic efforts will depend on understanding how U.S. technology priorities connect with other diplomatic and economic efforts. This legislation ensures STEM remains at the forefront of our diplomatic efforts so we can succeed against our adversaries.” Currently, all Foreign Service Officers are required to pass a basic training known as the A-100 orientation course. Within the curriculum, officers learn about various topics, including human trafficking, religious freedom, and multilateral diplomacy, but STEM topics are not included in the A-100 course or any Foreign Service orientation. The Tech Diplomacy Training Act requires that all Foreign Service officers receive training during their A-100 course on emerging technologies, the uses of technology in American diplomacy, and how our adversaries can use STEM concepts to undermine U.S. national security interests. Read the bill text here.

Congressman Baird Introduces Legislation to Support Bioindustrial Technologies

Position: Congressman Baird introduced legislation to direct the Department of Energy to establish bioindustrial scale-up facilities to accelerate emerging biotechnology commercialization, strengthen supply chains, and enhance U.S. competitiveness.

Congressman Jim Baird (IN-04) introduced the Bioindustrial Scale-Up for Supply Chains and Energy Resiliency Act of 2026 to amend the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to direct the U.S. Secretary of Energy to establish at least two bioindustrial scale-up facilities in the United States. These facilities would accelerate the scaling of emerging bioindustrial technologies, including coordinating with other relevant facilities and federal agencies. Congressman Baird was joined by Representatives Stephanie Bice (OK-05), Chrissy Houlahan (PA-06), and Ro Khanna (CA-17) in introducing this legislation. “As a farmer and scientist, I know how important biotechnology is to strengthening our world-class agriculture industry,” said Congressman Baird. “To ensure our country continues to lead the world in biotechnology, we must promote opportunities to develop new products and move them to market. I am pleased to introduce this important legislation to ensure the Department of Energy has the tools to accelerate the scaling of emerging bioindustrial technologies, strengthen U.S. biotechnology competitiveness, secure our supply chains, and unlock new opportunities for scientific breakthroughs and economic growth.” “The U.S. is by far the leader in biotech innovation, but we lack the infrastructure to keep up with the demand despite having all the necessary elements to biomanufacture American innovations,” said National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology Chairman Senator Todd Young. “The Department of Energy has the expertise and facilities to meet the sector’s needs, particularly for innovations that will strengthen our defense and energy capabilities. I'm glad to support my colleagues in the House on this legislation that will expand biomanufacturing capacity and create jobs for Hoosiers and innovators all across America.” “I am proud to cosponsor the Bioindustrial Scale-Up for Supply Chains and Energy Resiliency Act with Rep. Baird,” said Representative Stephanie Bice. “This legislation will help accelerate emerging bioindustrial technologies, including through coordination with relevant facilities such as the Department of Defense, to strengthen our supply chains and energy resiliency.” “Southeastern Pennsylvania is home to world-class universities, researchers, and entrepreneurs driving the next generation of biotechnology innovation,” said Representative Chrissy Houlahan. “But too often, promising ideas never make it out of the lab because businesses lack the infrastructure needed to prove their technologies can work at commercial scale—while countries like China are rapidly investing in the facilities needed to commercialize these breakthroughs. I’m grateful to partner with Congressman Baird on this bipartisan effort to help ensure that the biotechnology solutions developed in communities like mine can be manufactured here in the United States, strengthening our supply chains, economy, and energy security.”

Congressman Baird Statement on Passage of 2026 Farm Bill in House Agriculture Committee

Position: Congressman Baird supports passage of the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026, which includes provisions overturning California's Proposition 12 on livestock production standards, supports agricultural research and innovation, strengthens the farm safety net, and includes conservation and local processing provisions.

Congressman Jim Baird (IN-04) released the following statement on the passage of the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 in the House Agriculture Committee: “While I regret that I could not be there, I am proud to have done a lot of work to get this bill in its final form. I am pleased to see that my colleagues on the House Agriculture Committee passed the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 on a bipartisan basis. I take great pride in the bill that the committee produced, as it reflects the urgent need to pass a full Farm Bill, and the policies put forward will benefit our farmers in Indiana and across the nation. This bill contains a critical fix for our pork producers by overturning California’s Proposition 12, which attempted to dictate how farmers raise and care for their livestock. It also supports cutting-edge agricultural research and innovation, strengthens the farm safety net, and supports successful conservation programs to keep our farmland and forests resilient and productive. “I was pleased that the Committee agreed to include several of my priorities, such as the Increased TSP Access Act, NSF and USDA Interagency Research Act, Strengthening Local Processing Act, and Plant Biostimulant Act. The inclusion of these bills reflects the priority that the committee places on addressing these important issues. I look forward to working with my colleagues in the U.S. House and Senate to get this bill across the finish line to deliver a full, five-year Farm Bill and the economic certainty our farmers deserve.” Additional Background: The Increased TSP Access Act addresses Technical Service Provider (TSP) shortages by establishing a more streamlined certification process and increasing the number of TSPs to help farmers with their conservation efforts. The NSF and USDA Interagency Research Act strengthens the partnership between the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to promote cross-cutting and collaborative research. The Strengthening Local Processing Act makes it easier for local livestock and poultry producers to process meat locally and expands access to federal resources. The Plant Biostimulant Act creates a uniform federal definition for plant biostimulants and establishes a consistent regulatory pathway to market.

Congressman Baird Announces Opening of USDA Farmer Bridge Assistance Program Enrollment Period

| U.S. Congressman Jim Baird Javascript must be enabled for the correct page display Skip to Content twitter facebook Menu twitter facebook Home About Biography Caucuses Committees Our District Veterans History Project Votes And Legislation Services Art Competition Community Project Funding Congressional App Challenge Congressional Commendation Event Request Flag Request Grants Help with a Federal Agency Internships Kids Page Meeting Request Mobile Office Hours Presidential Greeting Request Service Academy Nominations Tour Requests Media Press Releases In the News Interview Gallery Contact Email Me E-Newsletter Sign Up Text Opt-In Office Locations Interactive Map Subscribe Subscribe submit Open search form search Submit close search Media Media Press Releases Congressman Baird Announces Opening of USDA Farmer Bridge Assistance Program Enrollment Period Share on Facebook Share on X Print this Page Share by Email Washington, February 27, 2026 Today, Congressman Jim Baird (IN-04) announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has begun the enrollment period for the Farmer Bridge Assistance (FBA) program. The enrollment period is open now through April 17, 2026. “The Trump Administration is putting American farmers first,” said Congressman Baird. “I thank President Trump and Secretary Rollins for their work to prioritize the farm economy and provide this critical economic relief for our farmers. I encourage every Hoosier eligible to apply and take advantage of this program, especially as we begin the planting season. I will continue to work with this administration to ensure our farmers flourish, have access to new markets, and lead the world in agricultural production and exports.” The FBA program provides $11 billion in one-time bridge payments to row crop producers in response to temporary trade market disruptions and increased production costs. The following commodities are eligible for FBA: barley, chickpeas, corn, cotton, lentils, oats, peanuts, peas, rice, sorghum, soybeans, wheat, canola, crambe, flax, mustard, rapeseed, safflower, sesame, and sunflower. Farmers and producers may complete their applications online or submit to their county Farm Service Agency office. For more information from the USDA on the FBA program, click here. ### --> Contact Us Office Locations Washington 2303 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, DC 20515 Phone: (202) 225-5037 Fax: (202) 226-0544 Indiana 355 S. Washington St, Suite 210, Danville, IN 46122 Phone: (317) 563-5567