[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 97 (Monday, July 24, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1305]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


         THE FISCAL YEAR 2001 AGRICULTURE APPROPRIATIONS BILLS

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                         HON. JAMES H. MALONEY

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, July 24, 2000

  Mr. MALONEY of Connecticut. Mr. Speaker, my Colleagues, I rise in 
opposition to H.R. 4461, the fiscal year 2001 Agriculture 
Appropriations bill. The provisions of this bill reflect the wrong 
priorities. The measure's total funding is $524 million less than it 
was last year. These cuts not only gravely impact the health of our 
children, but they also harm our environment.
  Most importantly, the bill rejects funding for the Food and Drug 
Administration's tobacco program. Congress must give the FDA the 
authority to regulate tobacco. I have worked hard to protect our 
children from the dangers of tobacco, and I cannot support a bill that 
contains such an ill conceived provision.
  In addition, the Agriculture Appropriations bill underfunds a number 
of important programs for children and families, the environment, and 
consumers. The Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program is cut 
substantially below the President's request. This essential program 
saves our most vulnerable children from disease and starvation by 
providing infants and children with nutritious food to help them thrive 
during critical years of development. Additionally, funding for state 
water quality grant programs received less than half of the requested 
funding level. Another underfunded program is the Food Safety 
Initiative, which would minimize contamination and ensure consumer food 
safety.
  My Colleagues, it is up to us to make sure that programs that are 
important to the health and safety of the children and families we 
represent are safeguarded. The Agriculture Appropriations legislation 
has its priorities reversed. For that reason, I could not support H.R. 
4461, the Fiscal Year 2001 Agriculture Appropriations bill in its 
current form.

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