[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 81 (Friday, May 16, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E955]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 CONFERENCE REPORT ON H.R. 2419, FOOD, CONSERVATION, AND ENERGY ACT OF 
                                  2008

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                         HON. MICHAEL N. CASTLE

                              of delaware

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 14, 2008

  Mr. CASTLE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in reluctant opposition to H.R. 
2419, the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008.
  Although I support many of the provisions included in the legislation 
before us today, I continue to oppose elements of the commodity title, 
which fall short of adequate reform. I have long opposed policy 
inequities in farm law that have resulted in large subsidies going to a 
few, mostly larger entities, leaving many small and family farms 
behind, including those in the state of Delaware. Under this 
legislation, millionaires will still be able to collect subsidies, even 
with the implementation of a means test, and direct payments are only 
cut by a minimal amount at a time when farm income is expected to reach 
a record high. Instead, we should be working toward maintaining an 
adequate safety net for farmers when food prices drop.
  Addressing this issue would bring down the cost of the overall 
legislation. Conferees working on H.R. 2419 have used last year's 
baseline to score the bill, thereby avoiding pay-as-you-go-rules, in 
order to hide a $2.9 billion increase in the deficit. It is clear to me 
that these issues need to be addressed before moving forward with this 
legislation.
  With that said, I am pleased that H.R. 2419 would increase funding 
for many of Delaware's priorities, including an additional $7.9 billion 
for conservation programs. Specifically, I support funding for the Farm 
and Ranchland Protection Program, which would be doubled above current 
levels to provide the necessary resources to prevent farmland from 
conversion into non-agricultural usage. Critical funding of $400 
million would also be provided to aid producers in reducing run-off, 
improve water quality, and restore the wildlife in the Chesapeake Bay, 
a project that I strongly support.
  This farm bill would also make significant boosts to nutrition 
programs of $10.4 billion over current levels, including school 
nutrition programs, and expands the number of families eligible for 
food stamp assistance. This legislation provides increased assistance 
to food banks at a time when many Americans are struggling to pay their 
monthly bills. Funds would also be authorized to provide relief to 
those facing hunger around the world.
  Furthermore, investments in energy are also included in this 
conference agreement as the ethanol tax credit is reduced, and instead, 
the tax credit for cellulosic energy production is increased which may 
alleviate some of the pressure corn-based ethanol has placed on food 
prices. With initiatives like these, we are working toward real 
alternatives to fossil fuels and moving one step closer to decreasing 
our dependence on fossil fuels.
  While I do support many of the provisions in H.R. 2419 and feel that 
conferees have made significant strides toward a compromise farm 
agreement, the commodity title has been left without substantial 
reform, resulting in costs to the American taxpayer. I look forward to 
working with my colleagues to address these issues.

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