Washington, D.C. – U.S. Representative Charles W. Boustany, Jr. (R-Lafayette), Louisiana’s only representative on the House Agriculture Committee, today urged Senator Tom Harkin, Chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee, to pass a sound and fair Farm Bill before the current Farm Bill expires on September 30, 2007.

“Farming is essential for so many in Southwest Louisiana and our state, and they need security to protect their way of life,” said Boustany.  “It is crucial for these families that a Farm Bill be passed by both Houses of Congress and signed by the President.  Playing petty politics with our agricultural community is inexcusable.”  

The current Farm Bill, passed in 2002, will expire later this month.  The House passed a bill in July, but it contained a massive tax increase added by Democratic House leadership two days before the final vote.  Congressman Boustany voted against that bill because of the tax increase and has fought to prevent a tax increase and protect the commodity title in the final bill.  The Senate has been deadlocked over both the size and scope of a new farm bill leaving millions of farmers and ranchers across the country in doubt.

“I will continue to fight for Southwest Louisiana farmers and ranchers throughout this ongoing process,” Boustany said.  “The Farm Bill became less and less about farmers, but I am going to work to change that.”