    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1997, Book II)]
    [November 18, 1997]
    [Page 1604]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    [[Page 1604]]

    Statement on Signing the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug
    Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1998
    November 18, 1997

        I am pleased to have signed into law today H.R. 2160, the
    ``Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and
    Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1998.''
        The Act provides $13.6 billion in discretionary budget authority for
    programs of the Department of Agriculture and the Food and Drug
    Administration. These programs include the Special Supplemental Feeding
    Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC); food safety programs;
    efforts to reduce children's access to tobacco products; and various
    programs to protect and support rural communities.
        The Act provides a total of $35.3 billion for the Food Stamp
    program, the Child Nutrition program, the Commodity Credit Corporation,
    and other mandatory programs.
        I am disappointed that the Congress failed to provide the full
    amount of my requested increase for the WIC program in order to reach a
    full participation level of 7.5 million women, infants, and children.
    Full participation in WIC is one of my highest priorities, and the
    funding level that this Act provides does not assure that we can achieve
    this goal in FY 1998.
        I am concerned about the provision of this bill that alters the
    administration and funding for research on nutrition programs serving
    the poor and disadvantaged. The research needs of these important
    programs should continue to be addressed in the context of the programs'
    administration. I am asking the Secretary of Agriculture to look into
    this matter and to work with the Director of the Office of Management
    and Budget on the most effective approach to address my concerns.
        I am pleased, however, that the Act includes nearly all of my
    request for the Food Safety and Inspection Service. The funding provided
    for meat and poultry inspection will ensure adequate inspection coverage
    and allow the agency to further implement the modernization of the
    inspection system that I announced on July 6, 1996. I am also pleased
    that the Act provides almost all of the requested level for my
    Administration's food safety initiative and the requested level for our
    efforts to reduce children's access to tobacco products.
        In addition, the Act provides significant increases in rural
    development programs to improve the quality of life in rural America and
    help diversify the rural economy. The Act also includes a portion of my
    proposal to create a Rural Development Performance Partnership, which
    will provide greater flexibility to tailor Federal assistance to local
    needs, reflecting my Administration's belief that there is no ``one-
    size-fits-all'' solution to the economic challenges facing rural areas.
    I will continue to seek authority to utilize the full flexibility that
    was authorized for these programs in the 1996 Farm Bill.

                                                          William J. Clinton

    The White House,

    November 18, 1997.

    Note: H.R. 2160, approved November 18, was assigned Public Law 105-86.