[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 81 (Wednesday, June 9, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1195]
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, 2000

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                           HON. MARION BERRY

                              of arkansas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 8, 1999

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 1906) making 
     appropriations for Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and 
     Drug Administration, and Related Agencies for the fiscal year 
     ending September 30, 2000, and for other purposes:

  Mr. BERRY. Mr. Chairman, I am ashamed that we have taken this long to 
create a piece of legislation that is this much of a disservice to 
American farmers. Unfortunately, this isn't the first time an 
agriculture bill has been stalled. Last fall, while farmers were 
twisting in the wind, the Leadership failed to pass the emergency 
supplemental legislation. Now, we have had an agriculture 
appropriations bill since February but sadly enough, the Leadership has 
not seen the need to pass it. When the bill finally comes to the floor, 
it is held up for two months. Then, in the remaining hours of the 
debate, an amendment which I did not support, was attached that cut 
$103 million. This is just one more example of the Congress' failed 
leadership.
  This legislation is an embarrassment to the American farmer. I could 
not vote for this legislation because it cut billions of dollars in 
agriculture programs. The legislation spends about $1.6 billion less 
than this year and $6 billion less than the Administration requested. 
It just doesn't seem right that when America's farmers are hurting the 
most, we kick them when they're down by passing legislation that spends 
less money on farm programs than last year.
  I voted for a motion to recommit this bill to the agriculture 
appropriators so that they could make adjustments to it without making 
haphazard cuts. These last minute cuts were done without the input of 
the Democrats on the authorizing committee, on which I serve. It is 
imperative that the Majority not take the fate of farmers so lightly as 
to just cut funding with so little regard. At the end of the night, 
despite my firm commitment to American agriculture, I decided to oppose 
final passage of this legislation. It is my strong desire that our 
colleagues in the Senate have the wisdom to make improvements on this 
legislation and that we return from a conference committee with a bill 
that adequately supports farmers.
  In response to the lack of action on the appropriations legislation, 
I introduced a resolution last month expressing the sense of the 
Congress that it is committed to addressing this crisis and that it 
recognizes that further assistance will be needed. I hope that all 
Members of Congress join me in reassuring America and our farmers that 
agriculture is vital to our future and our prosperity.

                          ____________________