Baldwin Reacts to Farm Bill

Press Release

Baldwin Reacts to Farm Bill

Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin issued the following statement today after voting for the Farm Bill, which passed the House this afternoon by a veto-proof vote of 318 to 106:

"This farm bill (Conference Report on H.R. 2419, the Farm, Nutrition, and Bioenergy Act of 2007) is far from perfect, but it does offer some noteworthy reforms. I strongly support the investments in nutrition programs that help 38 million American families afford healthy food. The legislation updates food stamp provisions and also provides much-needed support to emergency organizations, such as food banks, food pantries, and soup kitchens; and helps schools provide healthy snacks to students.

Struggling farmers, suffering from natural disasters such as drought or floods, will also receive much needed aid from the legislation, while unnecessary subsidies to farmers who don't need federal help will begin to end. For consumers, the bill makes critical food labeling of our meat supply and produce mandatory after six years of Republican delays.

I also support the conservation programs the bill assists to reduce soil erosion, enhance water supplies, improve water and air quality, increase wildlife habitats, and reduce damage caused by floods and other natural disasters.

As disappointed as I am that this bill does not ensure all the reforms we need, the alternatives (maintaining existing law or reverting to regulations dating back to the 1940s) were far worse and, in my view, unacceptable."

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