Harkin on SAP

From the office of Sen. Tom Harkin:


Washington, D.C. – Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, issued the following statement in response to the Statement of Administration Policy on the Senate farm bill delivered to Capitol Hill today. The farm bill is pending before the Senate this week.

“It is disappointing that the Administration is already threatening a veto of this bill while the Senate is still considering this measure. The Administration takes issue with virtually every part of this bill – even the distribution of fresh fruits and vegetables to school children. And with all of the debate about problems with Freedom to Farm payments this year, how can the Administration suggest that these payments are above questioning?

“Farm families, rural communities and the nation are counting on the investments we make in this farm bill toward farm income protection, nutrition, conservation, renewable energy and rural development. A veto of this measure will only delay those critical investments, which are needed now more than ever.”