Legislation Clears Both Chambers By Veto-Proof Majorities
ARLINGTON, VA – The new Farm Bill, containing a package of programs that improves farm policy and benefits dairy producers, sailed through the House and Senate this week by margins that all but ensure its enactment later this month.
The House passed the Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008 by a margin of 318 to 106 on Wednesday, more than the two-thirds majority necessary to override a threatened presidential veto of the legislation. The Senate passed the farm bill conference legislation Thursday by a veto-proof margin of 81-15.
“The lengthy struggle to pass a new Farm Bill makes this outcome all the more rewarding for our members who worked mightily during the past two years to improve existing agricultural policy,” said Jerry Kozak, President and CEO of NMPF. “Rather than extend the status quo or revert to the past, the Farm Bill moves us toward a new and better day on thousands of dairy farms of all sizes across America.”
He said that the new bill strengthens the dairy farmer safety net, allocates additional resources for conservation, environmental and renewable energy programs, improves the nation’s animal health infrastructure, and adds needed dollars for consumer nutrition programs.
Kozak applauded the bipartisan efforts of both the House and Senate during the conference committee process, and urged the White House to forgo its pledge to veto the legislation.
“Farmers have spoken in favor of this legislation, along with urban and suburban constituents, and members of the House and Senate have heard them,” Kozak said.
“If the President decides to follow through with his threat to veto this legislation, we urge America’s elected representatives to override his veto. It’s clear by this week’s vote margins in the House and Senate that Congress understands that this is important legislation that needs to be adopted,” Kozak said.
A summary of the Farm Bill’s dairy-related provisions can be found here.
The National Milk Producers Federation, based in Arlington, VA, develops and carries out policies that advance the well being of dairy producers and the cooperatives they own. The members of NMPF’s 31 cooperatives produce the majority of the U.S. milk supply, making NMPF the voice of more than 40,000 dairy producers on Capitol Hill and with government agencies.
