Representative Ike Skelton

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE	Contact: Lara Battles or
Thursday, April 27, 2006	Whitney Frost (202)225-2876

SKELTON TO PRESIDENT: PLEASE RECONSIDER VETO THREAT

Administration Opposes Ag Relief In Supplemental Appropriations Bill

Washington, DC – In a letter sent today, Congressman Ike Skelton (D-MO) urged the President to reconsider his opposition to agriculture disaster relief included in the emergency supplemental appropriations bill now being considered by the U.S. Congress.

“Recently, I reviewed your Statement of Administration Policy regarding H.R. 4939, the Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act,” wrote Skelton. “As the Ranking Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee and a representative of rural Missouri, I was extremely disappointed to learn of your threat to veto this legislation and urge you to reconsider your decision.”

“Over the past two years, Missouri has experienced periods of extreme drought. In many areas of the state, soybean and corn crops were severely impacted, pastures were scorched, and pond waters evaporated. The Food and Agricultural Policy Research Institute (FAPRI) at the University of Missouri estimated our state’s 2005 production losses for corn, soybeans, wheat, cotton, sorghum, rice, and hay at $252 million, which does not include losses experienced by the livestock sector. Because of the severe weather, U.S. Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns declared nearly all Missouri counties as primary agricultural disaster areas, “ wrote Skelton.

“Farmers in Missouri and throughout America must not be ignored. That is why Congress, standing in the shoes of the American people, is moving to enact emergency legislation that will assist Show-Me State farmers and those producers from other disaster stricken parts of the country,” wrote Skelton.

“Since taking office, you have chosen to sign every appropriations bill submitted to you, including several emergency supplemental spending bills that were approved with broad bipartisan support. I am disappointed that you would issue a veto threat on such important emergency spending legislation, jeopardizing crucial military and agricultural relief as our troops face continued challenges and our farmers begin the 2006 crop year with financial uncertainty,” wrote Skelton.

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Congressman Ike Skelton (D-MO) serves as Ranking Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee. For further information, please contact Lara Battles or Whitney Frost at (202)225-2876, or check Congressman Skelton's web site at http://www.house.gov/skelton.