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Strong, Smart Farm Bill Benefits Us All |
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Sen. Salazar, Sen. Kent Conrad and Sen. Saxby Chambliss hail the passage of the 2008 Farm Bill.
In my maiden speech on the floor of the U.S. Senate, I made a pledge to bring Washington’s attention back to the “forgotten” communities of rural America. For far too long, I argued, the federal government – through a policy of disinterest and neglect – left our nation’s rural communities to wither on the vine.
Since then, I have devoted much of my energy to reversing that unfortunate truth, working tirelessly with my colleagues in Congress, as well as Colorado’s ranchers and farmers to craft and pass a Farm Bill that not only addresses the unique challenges facing rural America, but capitalizes on the promise and opportunity we find there as well.
After several years of work and months of negotiations, I am pleased to announce that Congress has passed – by overwhelming bipartisan and veto-proof margins – the 2008 Farm Bill, which opens a new chapter of opportunity for rural America.
This legislation, at its core, makes much-needed investments in rural communities; delivers safe and healthy food to family dinner tables; provides fresh fruits and vegetables to kids at school; improves stewardship of the nation’s land and water; and helps reduce our dependence on foreign oil. And it does all this while protecting the future of America’s famers and ranchers.
I am especially pleased that the bill contains provisions that will help us deliver disaster aid more efficiently and effectively to our ranchers and farmers, curb waste and abuse within federal farm payments policy and grow our way toward energy independence by boosting our investment in cellulosic biofuels – all of which are provisions I fought to include.
But despite the promise this bill holds for the future, President Bush has said that he will veto it. He does not understand that it isn’t just about farmers. The Farm Bill we passed benefits every American, from our smallest towns to our biggest cities, urban and rural residents, farmers and non-farmers. We will all gain from this strong and balanced Farm Bill and I am hopeful the President signs it soon.
Click on one of the links below to view highlights from the 2008 Farm Bill, The Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008:
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