[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 124 (Friday, July 28, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1541]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


   AGRICULTURE, RURAL DEVELOPMENT, FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, AND 
               RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 1996

                                 ______


                               speech of

                          HON. GARY A. FRANKS

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 20, 1995

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 1976) making 
     appropriations for Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and 
     Drug Administration, and related agencies programs for the 
     fiscal year ending September 30, 1996, and for other 
     purposes:

  Mr. FRANKS of Connecticut. Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong support of 
the amendments which eliminate the Market Promotion Program in the 
Agriculture appropriations bill. The Market Promotion Program, a prime 
example of corporate welfare, gives millions of Federal dollars to 
multibillion-dollar corporations for the promotion of American products 
in foreign countries. During a time when so many Americans are asking 
to us to balance the budget, how can we keep funding corporate welfare 
in the guise of the Market Protection Program?
  Four amendments to the Agriculture appropriations bill would either 
make cuts or eliminate the Market Protection Program. First, the 
Zimmer-Schumer amendment prohibits any of the bill's funds from being 
used to pay the salaries of persons who carry out the Commodity Credit 
Corporation's market promotion program. Second, the Obey amendment cuts 
the bill's funds from being used to pay the salaries and expenses of 
personnel for certain large producers who participate in the MPP. 
Third, the Kennedy amendment prohibits the CCC from using funds to 
promote the sale or export of alcohol. Finally, the Deutsch amendment 
prohibits funds from being used to promote or provide assistance for 
mink industry trade associations. The amendments make the cuts in the 
Market Promotion Program to get the wealthy American corporations off 
of welfare.
  The Federal Government and American taxpayers can no longer afford 
these corporate handouts. I urge my colleagues to support these 
amendments and eliminate the MPP.


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