Thomas Daschle: “I support the agricultural appropriations bill that we are considering today and want to commend the chairman, the…”

“I support the agricultural appropriations bill that we are considering today and want to commend the chairman, the Senator from Mississippi, and the ranking member, the Senator from Arkansas, for their work on this important legislation. They and their staffs have spent countless hours under enormous pressure trying to ensure that discretionary agriculture programs are adequately funded. Considering the fiscal constraints with which they have been forced to comply, they have done a commendable job. The appropriations process is never easy, as the committee faces a number of difficult choices. For this reason, the bill does contain some provisions that are troublesome to me. For example, I regret the decision to provide less than full funding for the food safety inspection system at the same time the USDA is implementing the new science-based meat and poultry inspection system, the hazard analysis of critical control points [HACCP]. Also, the potential reduction in Federal outlays for lending programs that benefit our Nation's farmers, ranchers, and rural communities could jeopardize the rural economy. These issues deserve further attention. Mr. President, I am not entirely pleased with the shape of this legislation. However, I am hopeful that it can be improved in conference with the House. Therefore, I urge my colleagues' support of the bill.”