    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1993, Book II)]
    [October 21, 1993]
    [Page 1799]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    [[Page 1799]]

    Statement on Signing the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug
    Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1994
    October 21, 1993

        Today I have signed into law H.R. 2493, the ``Agriculture, Rural
    Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies
    Appropriations Act, 1994.''
        The bill makes a significant shift in priorities by funding $745
    million of my investment proposals, including full funding of the
    investment proposals for the Food Safety and Inspection initiative and
    for the Food and Drug Administration.
        The Congress has also adopted my goal to phase in full funding for
    the Special Supplemental Food Program for Women, Infants and Children
    (WIC). This bill provides $3.2 billion for WIC, an increase of 12
    percent over FY 1993.
        The bill includes significant funding for my Rural Development
    initiative, which will provide grants, direct loans, and loan guarantees
    for rural residents, communities, and businesses, as well as for
    inducements to promote economic development.
        I commend the Congress for making further progress toward reform of
    price-support programs for honey, wool, and mohair as recommended by the
    National Performance Review. The bill suspends honey subsidy payments
    for the 1994 crop of honey; however, payments on the 1993 honey crop
    will be made in FY 1994.
        I am pleased that the removal of employment floors will facilitate
    my objective of reducing Federal employment.

                                                          William J. Clinton

    The White House,
    October 21, 1993.

    Note: H.R. 2493, approved October 21, was assigned Public Law No. 103-
    111.