[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 81 (Friday, May 16, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E957-E958]
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. BETTY McCOLLUM

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 14, 2008

  Ms. McCOLLUM of Minnesota. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of 
the Conference Report on the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 
2008, and I would like to commend my colleague from Minnesota, Chairman 
Peterson, for his tireless efforts. He is a champion for rural American 
and his leadership was essential for the success of this legislation.
  The conference report--while not perfect--is a step in the right 
direction. This farm bill makes unprecedented investments in nutrition 
and conservation programs while also helping to address our Nation's 
energy crisis. In addition, this farm bill begins to scale back the 
commodity program by reducing spending on farmers who do not need the 
help.

[[Page E958]]

  Three of every four dollars from this farm bill go towards nutrition 
programs, which could not come at a better time for American families. 
Even without the spike in food prices, millions of Americans are unable 
to afford a sufficient and healthy diet. Unfortunately, community food 
banks and our current nutrition programs have not been able to meet the 
growing burden from rising food costs. That is why this farm bill 
provides $50 million immediately to address the shortfalls that food 
banks and food shelves are facing right now. It also increases funding 
for nutrition programs by more than $10 billion. For the first time in 
30 years individual benefits will be increased, and for the first time 
ever we will take the important step of indexing benefits to the cost 
of living. It is unacceptable that in the richest Nation in the world, 
so many go hungry--especially children. This legislation is a necessary 
step towards an America free from hunger.
  The farm bill also increases our commitment to international 
nutrition programs in response to growing humanitarian crises. As 
global food prices continue to rise, the aid that the U.S. provides to 
the developing world becomes more critical than ever. I am proud that 
this farm bill does include an increase in mandatory funding for the 
McGovern-Dole Food for Education and Child Nutrition program, but 
unfortunately it provides much less--nearly $800 million less--than the 
House included in our version. There is a nationwide consensus that we 
need to do more to help feed hungry children around the world, and I 
will continue working to increase funding for the McGovern-Dole 
program.
  Investing in conservation and domestic energy programs will benefit 
Minnesota and the entire country. With almost 8 billion in new 
conservation dollars, this conference report represents a shift towards 
sustainability in U.S. farm policy. These funds will be used to extend 
and expand a variety of programs that incentivize and provide technical 
assistance for farming practices that improve the quality of soil, 
water, and air on working lands. This legislation also represents a 
real commitment to dealing with the energy crisis. With record oil 
prices and new information about corn-based ethanol, it is crucial that 
we invest in viable fuels for the future. That is why this farm bill 
provides a billion dollars for R&D of advanced biofuels and shifts 
incentives from corn-based ethanol to biofuels from feedstocks such as 
switchgrass and woodchips.
  The Food, Conservation and Energy Act modernizes and makes much 
needed reforms to the commodity payment system; by closing loopholes, 
eliminating payments to wealthy farmers, and capping direct payments, 
this bill cuts $60 billion from the commodity programs. At the same 
time, this farm bill strengthens the safety net for farmers that 
protects them against price drops, droughts, floods and other 
disasters.
  This farm bill is a bipartisan compromise that addresses our urgent 
needs and invests in our future. I urge my colleagues in joining me in 
supporting the conference report.

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