Washington, DC (July 27, 2007) – Rep. Ruben Hinojosa (D-TX) today joined a majority in the House of Representatives to support The Farm, Nutrition and Bioenergy Act of 2007, otherwise known as the Farm Bill. This fiscally responsible legislation makes American family farmers a priority, invests in renewable energy and supports nutrition programs that help families in need.
“Congress has passed a fair farm bill that gives family farmers the support they need and invests in our nation’s future,” said Hinojosa. “This legislation will help make rural America stronger and help put an end to hunger in our country.”
The Farm bill imposes real payment limitations that crack down on subsidies, saving more than a half billion dollars. It redirects funds to the people who need it most: working family farmers and ranchers. The bill also guarantees a historic $1.5 billion in funding for fruit and vegetable programs, which have not received traditional Farm Bill benefits. It includes new transparency rules to ensure the public knows taxpayer dollars are getting to the family farmers who need them.
The legislation also includes critical provisions that support Democratic efforts to make our nation energy independent and fight global warming. The bill makes historic investment in renewable energy programs providing $2 billion in loan guarantees for the development of refineries that process renewable fuels, a key step toward bringing more renewable fuels to market in America. In addition, it includes $1.5 billion for production incentives for ethanol and biodiesel made from agricultural, forest, and waste plant materials.
Finally, the Farm Bill expands nutrition programs that help 35 million low-income families, including nearly doubling the funding for the Emergency Food Assistance Program, so that food banks, soup kitchens, and other emergency feeding sites have needed resources. It also expands the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Snack Program to all 50 states.
The legislation approved today was supported by a broad range of farm organizations, including the American Farm Bureau, the National Farmers Union, and a wide range of key commodity organizations. However, even in the face of this broad support, the President has threatened to veto this legislation.
“I urge our President to not stand in the way of fiscally responsible legislation that ensures a better future for rural America,” said Hinojosa. “We must give our farmers the help they need and forge a new direction in farm policy.”