Rahall Opposes Drastic Cuts in Economic Development, Child and Senior Nutrition; 2012 Agriculture Appropriations Bill Threatens Rural Development, Takes Food from Kids

Statement

U.S. Representative Nick Rahall (D-W.Va.) Thursday voted against the Fiscal Year 2012 Agriculture Appropriations bill that axes funding for rural development programs important to communities throughout West Virginia and for programs that provide food for seniors, women, and children in need.

"Anything that takes away from job creation, with an unemployment rate at the alarming levels we see now, is bad policy and something that I am going to fight," said Rahall. "This bill cuts the heart out of the USDA Rural Development program -- one of the federal initiatives that West Virginia communities have consistently counted on for nearly $2 billion in funding to build the basic infrastructure needed to attract and grow businesses and create jobs. There is a need to address the deficit, but I cannot support the kind of mindless slashing contained in this bill."

The Agriculture Appropriations bill passed by the House on Thursday cuts USDA Rural Development programs by 14 percent. Rural Development provides loans, grants, and technical assistance to rural towns and communities. It includes the Rural Utility Service, which funds water and sewer infrastructure needed to attract business and create jobs; the Rural Housing Service, which funds single and multifamily housing, hospitals, and police and fire stations; and Businesses and Cooperative Programs, which provide funding and technical assistance to help rural businesses grow and thrive. West Virginia received nearly $1.9 billion from USDA Rural Development in the fiscal years 2003 -- 2010.

The bill cuts by 10 percent funding for the Women, Infants and Children, or WIC, program, which provides food for pregnant and nursing women, infants and children living below the poverty level. It also cuts funding by 21 percent for programs that provide food for seniors.

"A time like this, when our economy is most tenuous, is not the time to be making deep cuts in safety net programs that are literally lifelines for American citizens. Snatching food from children and seniors in need is not sensible fiscal policy; it is heartless behavior, contrary to American values," Rahall said.

As passed by the House, the bill also slashes funding for the Food and Drug Administration and the Food Safety and Inspection Service, a move that could result in layoffs of inspectors essential to keeping our food supply safe and disease free.

The bill passed the House today by a vote of 217 to 203 and moves to the Senate for consideration.

Source