Eva M. Clayton: “I voted against this bill the first time it came before the House of Representatives and voted against it in committee.…”

“I voted against this bill the first time it came before the House of Representatives and voted against it in committee. I had serious reservations then and still I have some reservations now. But, I will take comfort in the fact that this conference report is the best legislation for our farmers and ranchers that we can achieve at this point in time. I am certain though that we will revisit this topic in the near future. It is obvious that this legislation is greatly improved from when it left the House. Cognizant of that fact, I will reluctantly support this bill. The conference report now includes funds for nutrition programs that were not present in the House version, funds for environmental improvement programs, and conservation programs and funds for rural development; however, I do not believe that the rural development funds are sufficient to meet the existing needs in our communities. I believe so strongly in funding rural development properly that I introduced an amendment in the Agriculture Committee that asked for $3.5 billion for the Fund for Rural America.”