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WASHINGTON – Congressman Adam Putnam (Fla.-12), Chairman of the House Republican Conference, issued the following statement after House passage of the Farm, Nutrition, and Bioenergy Act of 2007:
“I applaud the House Agriculture Committee for putting forward a farm bill that addresses the critical needs of our farmers and makes sound investments in agricultural research. This legislation rightly recognizes the vital role American farmers play in our global economy. “I would have been proud to vote for this farm bill had Democrat leaders not chosen at the 11 th hour to pay for it with a multi-billion dollar tax increase that will put over 5.1 million American manufacturing jobs at risk. “This tax increase is neither sustainable for the American farmer nor sound public policy for the American consumer. After all, it’s the manufacturers who purchase the products of American farmers and livestock producers who will be hurt most.
“The key to securing our economic future is keeping America competitive, and pitting our agricultural sector against our manufacturers makes that task more difficult.
“Two days ago, we had a farm bill that was veto-proof, and now it’s just something else to throw on the growing pile of veto bait passed by this Democrat-led Congress.
“It is unfortunate that Washington Democrats let their appetite for tax hikes supersede a genuine opportunity to get something done for our farmers, ranchers, and consumers.”
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