Hinojosa Backs Historic Farm Bill

HINOJOSA BACKS HISTORIC FARM BILL

Rep. Ruben Hinojosa (D-TX) today joined a bipartisan majority in the House of Representatives to approve the final conference report of the 2008 Farm Bill - historic legislation that preserves the economic safety net for rural America, protects our food security, makes unprecedented investments in nutrition programs that help needy families, and provides new opportunities for minority and beginning farmers. The House of Representatives passed it by a veto-proof margin.

"Congress has passed a fair and comprehensive farm bill that gives families the support they need and invests in our nation's future," said Hinojosa. "This legislation will strengthen rural America and ease the strain of rising food prices while adopting long-needed reforms to our agricultural policy. I urge the President to reconsider his veto threat and pass this responsible piece of legislation."

The Food Conservation and Energy Act of 2008 - commonly referred to as the Farm Bill - re-authorizes American agricultural and food policy for the next 5 years. Nearly three-fourths of the $290 billion Farm Bill, including an additional $10.4 billion in new spending, goes to nutritional programs that will help 38 million American families afford healthy food. It also updates the food stamp and school lunch programs to reflect the current state of our economy and help about 11 million people by 2012. Households with children would receive 77% of food stamp benefits.

The Farm Bill also includes much-needed support for emergency food distribution organizations, such as food banks, food pantries, and soup kitchens by increasing funding for the Emergency Food Assistance Program by $1.25 billion - with $50 million for immediate shortages at food pantries. It also helps schools provide healthy snacks to students, with $1 billion for free fresh fruits and vegetables.

"Too many families in Texas must go to bed each night without enough to eat," said Hinojosa. "This bill expands our nutrition programs for low-income families so more families have enough to eat and are not further affected by rising food prices."

Texas fruit and vegetable producers will have a place in the Farm Bill for the first time. The legislation guarantees a historic $1.3 billion in funding for America's fruit and vegetable programs that support research, pest management, trade promotion, and nutrition for the industry.

The legislation also includes several critical provisions spearheaded by Hinojosa. The Farm Bill will create the Southwest Regional Border Authority, an independent joint federal-state agency to coordinate economic development in the Southwest border region. This authority, which was originated by Congressman Silvestre Reyes and Congressman Hinojosa, will unite local, state, and national leaders to address the long term economic needs of our region by providing a fast-track to obtain grants for development and infrastructure.

Another provision will help promote housing in rural Texas. The Congressman helped include a provision that authorizes $10 million in funding each year until 2012 for the non-profit Housing Assistance Council (HAC). HAC works to create more affordable housing throughout rural United States and its loans have helped McAllen Affordable Homes and Proyecto Azteca.

The Farm Bill also invests in America's future. It boosts conservation programs by $7.9 billion, which reduce soil erosion, enhance water supplies, improve water and air quality, increase wildlife habitat and reduce damage caused by floods and other natural disasters.

Lastly, the Farm Bill support Democratic efforts invest in a diverse energy supply. The bill invests in renewable energy programs providing $320 million in loan guarantees for the development of refineries that process renewable fuels, a key step toward bringing more renewable fuels to market. In addition, it includes $1.5 billion for production incentives for ethanol and biodiesel made from agricultural, forest, and waste plant materials.

The legislation approved today was supported by a broad range of farm organizations, including the American Farm Bureau, the National Farmers Union, the Rio Grande Sugar Growers, the Texas Produce Association, the Texas Vegetable Association, the South Texas Cotton & Grain Association, and many other agricultural, environmental, and nutrition groups. However, even in the face of this broad support, the President has threatened to veto this legislation.

"I urge our President to not stand in the way of fiscally responsible legislation that ensures a better future for rural America," said Hinojosa. "We must give our farmers the help they need and forge a new direction in farm policy."

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