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Van Hollen Statement on H.R. 6233, Agricultural Disaster Assistance Act of 2012
Washington,
Aug 2, 2012 -
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition to HR 6233, the Agricultural Disaster Assistance Act. I agree that we must take steps to assist farmer and rancher families affected by extreme drought conditions, but doing so at the expense of national conservation programs is a shortsighted approach. Conservation programs help preserve farms and ranchlands, improve water quality, and enhance soil conservation, air quality, and wildlife habitats. These funds have been essential to Maryland farmers in protecting the quality of the Chesapeake Bay. Maintaining funding for these programs and providing farmers and ranchers with the opportunity to do long-term conservation planning is one of the best investments we can make to mitigate the impact of future droughts and disasters. Instead of pitting disaster assistance against conservation programs, let’s focus on our efforts on reauthorizing a five-year farm bill. Farmers in my district and across the nation agree that a farm bill reauthorization will give them the clarity and economic certainty they really need to plan for their futures. I urge my colleagues to reject today’s bill and move forward with passing comprehensive reauthorization.
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Congressman Chris Van Hollen
