House Passes FY'08 Agriculture, FDA Appropriations Bill

Press Release

Congresswoman Rosa L. DeLauro (Conn.-3), chairwoman of the House Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee, delivered the following remarks in support of the fiscal year 2008 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration Appropriations Bill on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives. The bill was passed by the House late Thursday evening. It also needs to be voted on by the Senate, approved by both chambers and signed by the President.

"I am proud of this bill and the goals it strives to accomplish - strengthening rural America, protecting public health, improving nutrition for more Americans, transforming our energy future, supporting conservation, investing in research, and finally, enhancing oversight. I believe they reflect our great challenges as a national community - and our priorities as a Committee.

"Each of these key goals is about finally meeting the federal government's obligation to its citizens - about assuming responsibility again for the things we are supposed to get right.

"Ultimately, the appropriations included here represent modest increases, yet they make a big difference - providing basic services to rural communities, feeding those in need, ensuring the long-term stewardship of our lands, and transforming our food safety system.

"This year's budget request would have turned back the clock - sometimes even eliminated effective initiatives that make a tremendous impact in the lives and communities of working and middle class Americans:

"Direct loans for rural multifamily rental housing program. Distance Learning and Telemedicine. Watershed and Flood Prevention Operations. Commodity Supplemental Food Programs.

"Now is exactly the wrong time to be undermining the critical efforts of this bill.

"Let me be clear, the appropriations in this bill are NOT based on the belief that we should just throw money at the challenges we face. With new resources should come a new commitment to responsibility and accountability? That commitment allows us to write a new story which reflects this Congress's new priorities and I believe, we are setting that process in motion today.

"My colleagues, this is just the beginning. The challenges we address in this bill, will not go away - overnight or with the passage of this one bill. But we have a responsibility to pursue a bold vision, to give the ideas we discussed here today, new life tomorrow. It is up to us to summon the political will, provide the creative energy, and build new lasting partnerships across old boundaries. It is up to us to do it together and to do it for the future of our communities, farmers, and families - and our future as a nation. Nothing could be more important."

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