Press Release

March 13, 2008

 

Contact:

Caroline Burns
(202) 225-3631

 

BISHOP STATEMENT ON LATEST FARM BILL EXTENSION

Washington, D.C. Yesterday, the U.S. House of Representatives agreed to extend until April 18, 2008 the current farm policy pending negotiations of a new Farm bill. This follows two prior extensions of the 2002 Farm bill which was meant to expire on September 30, 2007.

 

Current negotiations between the House and Senate have slowed amid veto threats from the White House regarding from where extra spending in the bill should come.

 

Congressman Sanford Bishop, Representative of Georgia’s Second Congressional District, issued the following statement on the latest extension:

 

“As the spring planting season begins, I am not pleased to vote for the third time to extend the 2002 farm bill. Last summer, the House Agriculture Committee and farm state legislators, including myself, worked tirelessly and quickly to draw up and pass comprehensive farm legislation. While the Senate’s protracted negotiations over the Farm bill last fall were disappointing, I am even more disappointed with the White House’s game playing on a bill worth $280 billion dollars to rural America.”

 

“Hopefully, this time next month, we will not be voting on another extension, but a new Farm bill.”

 

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