2024 U.S. House Political Questionnaire - District 4
Published
10/7/2024
The Utah Farm Bureau reached out to candidates for the 2024 General Election for U.S. House District 4, Vaughn of the United Utah Party, Burgess Owens (incumbent) of the Republican Party, and Katrina Fallick-Wang of the Democratic Party. Utah Farm Bureau does not endorse candidates, and simply provides these answers to questions to help voters when making election decisions.

TAX POLICY
Agriculture operates in a world of uncertainty. From unpredictable national situations to commodity and product market instabilities to fluctuating input prices, from natural disasters and damaging weather events to insect or disease outbreaks, running a farm or ranch business is challenging under the best of circumstances. Farmers and ranchers need a tax code that provides certainty and recognizes their unique financial challenges.
In Congress, what provisions would you support to help farmers and ranchers remain on the land and producing food, fuel and fiber?
Burges Owens: Farming and ranching come with a lot of uncertainties, so it's important to have a tax code that supports these businesses and acknowledges their unique challenges. I’m committed to helping farmers and ranchers stay on their land and keep producing essential resources. That's why I’m a co-sponsor of H.R. 7035, the Death Tax Repeal Act, which aims to eliminate the estate tax and help preserve the family farms and ranches that have been passed down through generations of Utahns. Ensuring they can continue their vital work without the burden of unnecessary and excessive taxes is a top priority for me and my team.
Katrina Fallick-Wang: Farmers and ranchers are essential to our food supply and local economy, but they face a unique set of challenges, from unpredictable markets to natural disasters and rising input costs. In Congress, I would advocate for a tax code that reflects the specific needs of agricultural businesses. This includes supporting tax provisions that offer relief during tough seasons, such as droughts or floods, and ensuring that farmers can reinvest in their operations through tax credits for sustainable practices, such as clean energy initiatives, soil conservation, and water management.
Additionally, I believe we must close tax loopholes that benefit only the wealthiest corporations, ensuring a fairer tax system that allows farmers and ranchers to compete on an even playing field. By reducing the tax burden on family-owned farms and providing targeted relief, we can ensure they remain on their land, producing the food, fuel, and fiber our communities rely on.
Vaugh Cook: I don’t have a specific tax bill in mind, but I believe the small farmer and rancher need particular consideration. It’s the small farms and ranches that have the flexibility to operate in closer harmony to nature. We need more of this. It’s a good idea to implement tax policies that protect this way of life, that facilitate the development of new production methods, and that preserves the family farm from one generation to another.
REGULATORY REFORM
All Americans have an interest in a regulatory process that is transparent and fact-based, respects the will of Congress, and observes the separation of powers in the Constitution. Federal regulations have a direct impact on farmers and ranchers, and over the years, the breadth and extent of that regulatory landscape have changed.
What actions would you take to ensure that the federal government’s regulatory burden on businesses such as farming and ranching is consistent with congressional intent? Would you support regulatory reform to ensure that federal regulations meet a cost/benefit test and make the process of writing new regulations more transparent, and if so, how?
Katrina Fallick-Wang: Farmers and ranchers already face enough challenges without the added burden of excessive and unclear regulations. I believe in a regulatory process that is transparent, data-driven, and respects both the intent of Congress and the voices of those most impacted—our farmers, ranchers, and rural communities.
In Congress, I would support reforms that ensure regulations meet a rigorous cost/benefit test to avoid unnecessary burdens on agricultural businesses. We must streamline the regulatory process to be more transparent, predictable, and practical for those who work the land, without sacrificing essential protections for the environment and public health. Additionally, I would advocate for farmers and ranchers to have a stronger voice in shaping the regulations that affect them, ensuring they are at the table when decisions are made. This would foster a collaborative approach that recognizes their expertise and deep connection to the land, while also aligning with the overall goals of public policy.
Vaugh Cook: I believe one of the most significant things we can do to make legislation more transparent and regulations more equitable is to reform campaign finance. Our current campaign finance laws invite conflicts of interest, cronyism, and back-door deals, all of which thrive in opacity. If campaigns were financed exclusively by the government, we would create an environment where representatives would serve voters above all else. Today's system puts too much power into the hands of private enterprises and political parties.
I'm not optimistic that campaign finance reform will ever happen if we continue to send Republicans and Democrats to Washington to represent us. I believe the first step is to create a Congress where no political party has the majority. This would move the power from the extreme to the middle, where moderates operate. It would force cross-party cooperation on every piece of legislation, and I believe it would make space for the political courage required to reform campaign finance.
Burgess Owens: The Biden-Harris administration has been piling new regulations on every U.S. industry, including farming and ranching. To counter this, I’ve sponsored the Water Quality Criteria Development and Transparency Act, which makes sure that the EPA follows a transparent, public process for setting water quality rules instead of letting unelected bureaucrats have unchecked power. I also co-sponsored the EATS Act to prevent other states from imposing their regulations on Utah’s farmers and ranchers. I’m committed to ensuring that federal regulations are consistent with what Congress intends, meet a cost/benefit test, and involve a transparent process.
ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT
Privately-owned land provides habitat for the majority of our nation’s endangered and threatened species. As a result, landowners often face harsh regulatory restrictions on their ability to use the land or, worse, lawsuits or enforcement actions. Meanwhile, few species have actually been recovered under the law.
Is it time to think about incentive-based programs that create a positive role for landowners in species recovery? What recommendations do you have for reforming the Endangered Species Act, and what role would you assign America’s landowners?
Vaugh Cook: Species preservation benefits everyone, not just the landowners where those species live. If a species is endangered and deemed worthy of preservation, private landowners who would be adversely affected by any preservation action should be compensated. Equitable compensation may be difficult to calculate. For example, if a large tract of land is slated for development and an endangered turtle lives on that land it may not be feasible to compensate the landowner for the foregone profit of the development. However, if the stakes are high enough, it may be worth relocating the turtles to allow the development to proceed. In this case, the cost to relocate the turtle could be borne by the developer and by society. I would support legislation that accomplishes this, recognizing the formulas involves will be complicated.
Burgess Owens: After being used as a political tool during the Biden-Harris administration, the Endangered Species Act needs a major upgrade. Instead of hitting landowners with harsh rules and expensive lawsuits, we should create incentive-based programs that reward them for helping with species recovery. We should work together on clear recovery plans and give landowners a stake in the process, turning them into conservation allies rather than adversaries. By doing this, we’ll make species protection more effective and support those who care for lands here in Utah and across the country.
Katrina Fallick-Wang: While protecting endangered species is important, we must also respect the fundamental rights of landowners. Farmers and ranchers own their land, and the government should not overstep by imposing harsh regulatory restrictions that interfere with their ability to use and manage it effectively. Instead, we should focus on incentive-based programs that create a positive role for landowners in species recovery.
In Congress, I would advocate for reforms that provide landowners with the resources they need to be part of the solution, without infringing on their property rights. Additionally, farmers and ranchers should have a seat at the table in shaping conservation policies that affect their land. They understand their land better than anyone, and their experience and knowledge should inform how we approach species recovery. By making landowners active partners in the process, we can protect both agricultural productivity and biodiversity.
AGRICULTURAL LABOR
Farmers and ranchers need a reliable, skilled workforce. Farm work is challenging, often seasonal and transitory, and with fewer and fewer Americans growing up on the farm, it is becoming increasingly difficult to find American workers attracted to these kinds of jobs. Farm labor can’t all be replaced by machines, either.
What role can Congress play in addressing the critical labor shortages that many farmers and ranchers face each year? How optimistic are you on finding workable (and passable) solutions to the labor crisis?
Burgess Owens: Congress can make a big difference in addressing the labor shortages that farmers and ranchers face by cutting through bureaucratic red tape and improving access to skilled workers. I’m optimistic because we now have a Congress committed to real solutions instead of kicking the can down the road. By streamlining regulations and supporting education and workforce development programs tailored to agricultural jobs, we can help ensure that farmers and ranchers have the trained workforce they need to thrive. This approach will not only make it easier for Utahns to hire the right people but also help attract new talent to this important industry.
Katrina Fallick-Wang: Farmers and ranchers need a reliable, skilled workforce to keep their operations running, and the current labor shortages are putting immense pressure on our agricultural communities. In Congress, I would work to address these shortages by advocating for comprehensive immigration reform that includes a fair, efficient, and workable guest worker program. This program should meet the unique needs of the agricultural industry, providing farmers with the labor force they require while ensuring that workers are treated fairly and humanely.
Additionally, I believe that comprehensive immigration reform should include a path to citizenship for those seeking it. Many of the people who work on our farms and ranches contribute greatly to our communities and deserve a clear and achievable path to citizenship if that is their goal. I’m optimistic that we can find solutions to the labor crisis by bringing together stakeholders from across the political spectrum. Ensuring that farmers can hire the workers they need will help stabilize food production and contribute to the economic health of both rural and urban communities.
Vaugh Cook: At the heart of this problem is immigration reform. I’m a strong proponent of a secure, well controlled border; giving immigration enforcement personnel the tools and authority they need; increasing resources needed to process immigrants and asylum claims quickly; allowing for temporary migrant workers to enter the country legally; and to give consumers of that labor easier access. If a farmer or rancher needs help, the process to get it should be transparent and uncomplicated. We don't want our farmers and ranchers in a position where they have to bend the rules to stay in business.
PUBLIC LANDS
The federal government often changes policies regarding the management of public lands that impact agriculture and the multiple-use principle of public lands. More than 2/3 of Utah is public land in one form or another.
What will you do in your office to ensure that public lands can be used for the multiple uses they are designed for, including agriculture?
Katrina Fallick-Wang: With over two-thirds of Utah being public land, it’s critical that we balance the multiple uses these lands are intended for, including agriculture, recreation, and conservation. In Congress, I would work to ensure that public lands remain accessible to our farmers and ranchers, who rely on them for grazing and other agricultural activities, while also preserving their environmental value for future generations.
I believe that the federal government must respect the needs of local communities when managing public lands. This means listening to farmers and ranchers, as well as other stakeholders, to ensure that policies promote sustainable land use without unnecessary restrictions. The multiple-use principle is vital for Utah’s economy and environment, and we need to ensure that public lands are managed in a way that serves all users, including the agricultural community, who have a deep connection to the land and understand how to steward it responsibly.
Vaugh Cook: I’m not in favor of the lawsuit our state legislators are bringing against the federal government in an attempt to take possession of federal lands. I believe this is a fool's errand, a waste of our money, and not in the best interest of the people.
However, I am in favor of multiple uses of federal land. I further believe that those who make their living from that land, and have done so historically, are a critical resource in crafting public land policy, and the best solutions will be compromises.
The goal in my mind is to manage the land so, in 100 years, it will still be serving the public and those making their living there.
Burgess Owens: Public lands belong to the people, and those living near them should have a say in how they’re used, including for agriculture. I’ll keep working hard to push back against overreaching, restrictive, and unconstitutional land designations from the Biden-Harris administration that limit access for Utah’s farmers and ranchers. Ensuring that our public lands remain available for multiple uses, including grazing and farming, is crucial for maintaining the livelihoods of Utahns across our state who depend on these lands.
TRADE
After decades of ag exports being a mainstay in our national balance of trade, the United States has been a net importer in agricultural trade since 2021.
- Does this raise national security issues?
- What can be done in your role to help this?
Vaugh Cook: I don’t put this into the category of national security. It may be a supply problem, it may be a demand problem, it may be a marketing problem. I expect we can recover the position of a net exporter, but it may require increased marketing efforts globally and changing the appetites of American citizens to desire homegrown fruits and vegetables on their tables.
In Congress I will be vigilant to guard against unfair trade agreements that put us at a disadvantage, and my door will always be open to the input from Utah’s farmers and ranchers whose livelihoods depend in part on government policy.
Burgess Owens: Agriculture is not just vital for our economy; it’s a cornerstone of our national security. Increased dependence on foreign agricultural products makes us vulnerable to supply chain disruptions and significant threats from our adversaries. The House recently passed the Protecting American Agriculture from Foreign Adversaries Act, which ramps up scrutiny on foreign bids to purchase U.S. farmland, especially from adversaries like China, North Korea, Russia, and Iran. This legislation is crucial because China alone now owns 384,000 acres of American agricultural land—a 30% increase since 2019. By keeping these vital resources out of foreign control, we protect our food supply and agricultural infrastructure.
Additionally, I'm a co-sponsor and strong proponent of the Ending Agricultural Trade Suppression (EATS) Act, which ensures that states like Utah can regulate their own agricultural practices without interference from outside jurisdictions. Strengthening these protections and advocating for local control helps safeguard our farmers, boost domestic production, and enhance our national security.
Lastly, I am fighting to ensure our friends hold up their end of agreements made with the United States. Under President Trump, Congress passed the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, or the USMCA, replacing NAFTA and setting the foundation for North American trade in the 21st century. Unfortunately, a USMCA Panel has already ruled once that Canada has violated dairy quote pledges under the agreement. Canada limiting access to the quotas to just Canadian processors and distributors, has largely prevented Canadian food service retailers from buying American dairy goods. This is unacceptable. Since 2018, Mexico has created uncertainty for agricultural biotechnology by ceasing review and approval of any biotechnology crop applications. As a result, Mexico has become a barrier to launching new biotechnology products within North America, notwithstanding commitment in USMCA to process these applications on an “ongoing basis year-round.”
Katrina Fallick-Wang: The fact that the United States has been a net importer in agricultural trade since 2021 raises serious concerns about our national security and the future of our food supply. We must prioritize policies that support our farmers and ranchers, ensuring they can compete globally and continue producing food, fuel, and fiber for our country.
In Congress, I would advocate for trade agreements that protect and promote U.S. agriculture, leveling the playing field for our farmers and ranchers in global markets. This includes reducing barriers to exports, negotiating fair trade deals, and ensuring that our agricultural industry is not undercut by unfair practices abroad. Strengthening our domestic agricultural production is not only vital for economic stability but also for food security, ensuring that America can feed itself in times of global uncertainty.
GENERAL
Outside of agriculture, what are some of your main issues that you hope to address if elected?
Burgess Owens: I’m driven by a vision to transform education in America. As chair of the Higher Education and Workforce Development Subcommittee, I’m passionate about revolutionizing our education system to ensure it meets every student’s unique needs and aspirations—regardless of their zip code. We need to break free from failed, outdated models and empower states and local school districts to develop innovative programs that bridge the classroom and the workforce. This means giving students early access to technical schools, community colleges, and other non-traditional options to better prepare them for the future.
With Utah leading the nation in growth, investing in smart, innovative, and forward-thinking transportation and infrastructure solutions is more important than ever to keep our state thriving. My goal is to help ensure Utah remains a place where families can build their futures and businesses can thrive. From fostering growth and opportunity to promoting fiscal responsibility and economic development, Utah stands tall and punches above its weight.
Katrina Fallick-Wang: Outside of agriculture, I believe there are several pressing issues facing rural Utahns that need to be addressed. Access to affordable healthcare is critical, especially in rural communities where many people struggle to afford necessary medications or even see a doctor without traveling long distances. We need to lower healthcare costs and ensure rural hospitals and clinics are adequately funded.
Infrastructure is another key issue. Rural communities need reliable roads, bridges, and, importantly, high-speed internet to stay connected and competitive in today’s economy. Expanding rural broadband is one of my top priorities, as it’s essential for businesses, schools, and healthcare services.
Education is also a concern. Too many rural schools are underfunded, and we need to make sure that rural students have access to the same opportunities as those in urban areas. This means fully funding our public schools and providing support for teachers and students alike.
Vaugh Cook: For too long our representatives have put their political parties first, their donors second, and the voters who elected them last. This is due primarily to the creeping dysfunction that now pervades Washington. It’s a system problem, not an individual problem, and the only way to solve it is to reform the system.
As the third-party candidate I will not be obligated to a political party, nor will I be obligated to campaign donors. This gives me the ability to truly represent the voters of Utah’s 4th Congressional District.
My hope is that over time we will push all political parties into a minority position in Congress. I believe this will create a much healthier environment of cooperation and common sense, and unsolvable problems will be solved.