Spratt Votes For Ag Bil

Press Release

U.S. Rep. John Spratt (D-SC) Wednesday joined in passing the Agriculture Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2010, aimed at enhancing food safety, boosting rural economies, feeding struggling families, and protecting against price spikes. The House approved the bill 263-162.

"Americans should never have doubts about the safety of the food they put on their table," said Spratt. "This legislation will help restore people's trust in the safety of our food so that every parent can have confidence that what they feed their children will not make them sick."

The bill helps rural communities hard hit by the recession. It builds on the success of the Recovery Act with investments in community facilities, housing, water projects and rural businesses -- creating opportunities for growth and development in every community. Responding to the crisis plaguing dairy farmers, the bill also includes aid for farmers who are struggling with historically low prices.

"Our rural towns and dairy farmers have been hit especially hard by this economic crisis," said Spratt. "With this bill, we reinvest in rural communities - spurring business growth, supporting new infrastructure, and bringing new jobs and hope to our communities."

To protect low-income women, children, and senior citizens faced with rising food costs and shrinking wages, the legislation increases nutrition aid to families and ensures that 9.6 million women and children receive healthy, nutritious food.

The bill also gives the Commodity Futures Trading Commission the staff and resources needed to help protect consumers from needless price spikes in the cost of basic necessities.

Spratt praised the bill for its fiscal responsibility, saying it cuts millions of dollars from programs that are not working.

The legislation is pending in the Senate.

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