    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1998, Book I)]
    [May 22, 1998]
    [Page 831]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on House of Representatives Action on Agricultural Research
    Legislation
    May 22, 1998

        I am deeply disappointed that today the House did not approve the
    conference report on the agricultural research bill. This carefully
    crafted legislation balances a broad range of agricultural and nutrition
    concerns including: crop insurance, agriculture research, rural
    development, and food stamps for legal immigrants in need. It provides
    critical funding to ensure the viability of the crop insurance program
    as the basis of the farm income safety net; to improve food safety and
    the competitiveness of our farmers through better research; to restore
    needed food stamps to children, the elderly, and disabled, and refugees
    among our legal immigrants; and to improve the quality of life in rural
    areas.
        I am grateful that the House today overwhelmingly defeated a rule
    that would have stripped the food stamp immigrant provisions from the
    bill and destroyed the delicate compromise in the conference report.
    Support across the country for these programs and this bill is wide and
    deep. Today's vote in the House and the Senate's overwhelming vote of
    92-8 in passing the conference report is a reflection of the strong
    backing by farm groups, universities, church organizations, and
    advocates for the poor.
        The House leadership today let down farmers, let down consumers, and
    let down the children, elderly, and disabled who need the food
    assistance contained in this bill. I urge the House of Representatives
    to complete its work and move expeditiously to pass the conference
    report without change, upon return from the Memorial Day recess.