[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 100 (Thursday, July 7, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1260]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               H.R. 2112, AGRICULTURE APPROPRIATIONS BILL

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                          HON. KRISTI L. NOEM

                            of south dakota

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, July 7, 2011

  Mrs. NOEM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition to H.R. 2112, the 
Agriculture Appropriations bill. While agriculture, along with every 
other industry must take some reductions to get our spending under 
control, it should not be in a disproportionate manner. This bill would 
take a nearly 14 percent cut in discretionary funding compared to last 
year while other appropriations bills thus far have seen cuts less than 
3 percent. I could not vote in favor of this bill because I did not 
feel that it recognized the importance that agriculture plays in our 
nation's economy or take into account the impact this would have on 
farmers. While it is important to reduce the deficit, we should do it 
in a responsible manner and not disproportionately on the backs of the 
farmers who are supplying our nation's, and much of the world's, food 
supply.
  There were many provisions in the bill that I supported, but I felt 
the bill sent the wrong overall message about the importance of 
agriculture policy. As South Dakota's lone Representative, I could not 
in good conscience vote for a bill that unfairly singled out South 
Dakota's number one industry.

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