On the recordJune 11, 2014
The bill that we have on the floor provides over $1 billion for the Food Safety and Inspection Service. The amount is an increase of $3.8 million above the President's own request. Food safety is certainly important. I don't think anyone can argue that that is not a very important issue that we have made in this bill. We have proven that by exceeding the amount requested by the minority's own administration request. Now is not the time to be reducing funds from the Farm Service Agency. They are tying trying to implement the new farm bill and provide assistance to American farmers and ranchers. We have a bipartisan request to prevent the administration from implementing their plan to close FSA offices. Support of the amendment is equivalent to supporting a closure of FSA offices across the country. I urge my colleagues to oppose this amount, and I reserve the balance of my time.
