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Cubin Votes to Trim Spending

Date: July 13, 2004
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Agriculture and Food


Cubin Votes to Trim Spending
Annual Agriculture Spending Bill $3.4 Billion Less Than Last Year
July 13, 2004

Washington - U.S. Representative Barbara Cubin (R-WY) voted today for an annual agricultural spending bill that will reduce federal spending by $3.4 billion from last year's levels.

The U.S. House approved the bill by a vote of 389 to 31.

"I am a deficit hawk and always have been," said Cubin. "I believe in cutting spending and this bill is a good place to cinch up our belts. Defense and homeland security must be our top priorities, and to pay for our needs to keep America secure some other programs are going to have to be cut."

The bill approved today, while reducing overall government spending, still provides an increase of $20 million for mad-cow disease detection and will enable the USDA and FDA to test 268,000 cattle, including over 200,000 high-risk animals. The bill also includes several Wyoming-specific projects for things such as predator control and soil surveys.
"Agriculture is a backbone of Wyoming's economy," said Cubin. "Farming and ranching make up a large part of our state's heritage and help to keep us connected to Wyoming's roots. Several years of drought have brought some tough times to our agricultural community, and we ought to help out where we can."

"I'm pleased that this bill will not just create and protect jobs in Wyoming, but also show some fiscal discipline for a change," continued Cubin. "Agriculture always has been and always will be a staple of Wyoming's economy. This bill reflects that fact while still allowing us to be responsible with the taxpayers' money."

The bill now moves to the Senate for consideration.

Some Wyoming-specific projects in the bill include:

• $1.3 million in continued predator control funding to deal with conflicts and problems stemming from wolves, grizzly bears and other federally protected species;
• $300,000 in additional funding for the purpose of NRCS Soil Survey Mapping in the State of Wyoming, and;
• $300,000 for continued research in Wyoming, Montana and Texas to develop new and better methods for wool production and marketing

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