(Washington D.C.)- Late last night, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Fiscal Year 2007 Agriculture Appropriations bill on a vote of 378 to 46. The legislation included $118.3 million for the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP), an increase of $11 million.  Earlier this year, the President had proposed eliminating CSFP in his budget request.  Voting in support of the bill, U.S. Rep. Sander Levin (D-Royal Oak) praised the restored funding for this important food assistance to low-income seniors, mothers and children, and slammed the Administration for its upside-down budget priorities.

"In yet another example of the Administration's upside-down priorities, the President's request proposed eliminating CSFP.  I thank the Committee for responding to the outpouring of grassroots support for CSFP, and refusing to do away with this important program," said U.S. Rep. Levin. 

Last year, in Michigan alone, CSFP provided almost 76,000 low-income seniors, mothers and children with much-needed, nutritious food each month. 

"Following the President's recommendation would have literally taken food from the mouths of seniors and children across the country," said U.S. Rep. Levin.  "I hope our action here not only protects CSFP, but also sends a message to the President that cuts like this are not acceptable."

The Detroit-based civil and human rights organization Focus: HOPE, which was instrumental in the creation of CSFP, joined Levin in praising this restored funding. 

"We are grateful to the U.S. Congress for its wisdom, leadership and concern in restoring funding for the CSFP program at a time when the need could not be greater.  Many senior citizens across the country are dependent on this critical supplement to their diet.  It is imperative that the nation continue to provide this funding in Fiscal Year 2007 and beyond," said Frank Kubik, CSFP Manager at Focus: HOPE in Detroit, Michigan and Vice President of the National CSFP Association.
 

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