Washington, D.C. – U.S. Representative Charles W. Boustany, Jr., (R-Southwest Louisiana), a member of the House Agriculture Committee, today praised the President’s nominee, Governor Ed Schafer of North Dakota, for Secretary of Agriculture.

 

“Farmers and ranchers in Southwest Louisiana are anxious to see a responsible Farm Bill,” Boustany said. “Governor Schafer has a tough task, but I believe he will put the needs of our agriculture community first. I urge the Senate to move promptly during Governor Schafer’s confirmation.”

 

If confirmed by the Senate, Governor Schafer would assume the helm of the Department of Agriculture as the Senate has stalled the 2007 Farm Bill, which expired on September 30, 2007. Most provisions of the 2002 Farm Bill extend through the end of current growing cycles, but a new Farm Bill is critical to provide a strategic outlook for the nation’s agricultural community.