Tom Harkin speaks:
As Chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee, I was very pleased when my colleagues and I unanimously passed the 2007 farm bill out of committee last month. Our bill - The Food and Energy Security Act - is a forward-looking, fiscally responsible measure that provides new investments in conservation, renewable energy, nutrition assistance and rural development.
While our bipartisan bill passed the committee on a voice vote without a negative vote voiced, it is now stuck at a standstill. Unfortunately, so far, leadership of the minority party in the Senate has been unwilling to work with us to limit the number of non-relevant amendments so that we can pass this bill to move rural America forward.
This bill improves farm income protection and promotes new income opportunities for farm and ranch families – such as in farm-based renewable energy, along with more help to dairy farmers and particularly to specialty crop producers. It boosts economic growth, jobs and the quality of life in our rural communities. It has excellent new initiatives to help restore our national energy security by promoting biofuels and other renewable energy sources and rural energy initiatives. It makes major new investments in helping farmers and ranchers conserve and enhance the resources on their land – to save soil, increase water quality, conserve wetlands and restore wildlife habitat. It will allow low-income Americans to put more food on the family table, and it will help improve the diets and health of kids by providing access to more fruits and vegetables in our schools.
Regrettably, through vetoes and veto threats, the president seems to be setting up a procedural and budgetary train wreck at the end of this session of Congress that threatens legislation that is in the best interests of our country. Our new farm bill must be spared this fate. Be assured that I will continue my fight to get this strong, bipartisan farm bill through the Senate and enacted into law.
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