Farm Bill Update and Agriculture Secretary Nominee

I am pleased to report that as of today, the Senate began debate on their version of the Farm Bill. It is expected to last possibly into next week, but it’s difficult to predict the day it will be voted on or the outcome of their work.

The good news is that this is the next important step to complete the process of passing a new Farm Bill that continues to aid agriculture producers in the 19th District. It is my hope that bipartisanship will prevail and the final version will serve the needs of farmers and ranchers. 

Last Wednesday, President Bush nominated the two-term Governor of North Dakota, Ed Schafer to be the next Secretary of Agriculture. It is my hope that he will be confirmed by the Senate in short order, and I look forward to working with the new Secretary to finalize a Farm Bill that continues to promote and protect American agriculture.

Positive News From Iraq

Month after month, the media reports from Iraq have been grim.  However, this weekend, I read two stories about Iraq that describe the positive changes taking place there.  I want to share the messages from these stories with you.

Most inspiring to me was an Associated Press (AP) story that reported that in the last three months, over 3,000 Iraqi families have returned to Baghdad and are reopening shops or starting new businesses with the assistance of American and coalition grants.  People are finding that it’s now safe to venture out into the streets and feel as if life is returning to normal in their home city.

In a separate but similar story released on the same day, it was reported that taxi drivers now feel that it’s safe to drive throughout Baghdad.  Prior to the surge, drivers would not venture to most areas, fearing for their lives.  One taxi driver recently said after seeing first hand the improvements, “I can drive anywhere now.” 

The level of sectarian violence has decreased and the AP has also reported that “More than four months after the U.S. forces completed a 30,000 strong buildup, the death toll for both Iraqis and Americans has fallen dramatically for two months running.”

I am encouraged to hear of these improvements and pleased that the press is highlighting this progress which shows that the President’s plan to deploy additional forces to secure Baghdad has been showing true and real signs of success. 


Veterans Annual Funding Bill

It has now been 143 days since the House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed the annual funding bill for veterans, providing the critical assistance veterans need and have earned. It has been over eight weeks since the Senate passed their version, yet no action has been taken to send this bill to the President.  This is clearly unacceptable, and in my opinion, Congress should take care of its business right away.

I am concerned, however, that the majority has chosen to attach another funding bill, the Labor-Health and Human Services (Labor-HHS) to the annual funding bill for veterans and send two bills as one to the President for approval.  Unfortunately, the Labor-HHS bill includes excessive, bloated spending programs that expand government spending by millions of dollars, millions of dollars that we don’t have and will add to our federal deficit.

It is time to make principled decisions and for Congress to work in the interests of the American people. The veterans funding bill is long overdue and should be passed on its own, not as an add-on to a larger, bloated spending package, to ensure America’s veterans receive their benefits and critical care.

Just last week, House Republicans introduced H. Res. 786 which would change the rules of the House to ensure that Congress never again uses funding for our veterans in order to advance a partisan agenda. This resolution would require the House of Representatives to consider the Military Construction bill and Veterans funding bill as stand alone legislation, preventing any excessive or unrelated spending to be attached. I am proud to be a co-sponsor if this important resolution.

Make sure to look out for a special addition of Randy’s Roundup coming this Friday to honor our Nation’s veterans.

--Randy