Henry Bonilla: “Mr. Chairman, I recall in the previous administration they cutely coined the phrase ``corporate welfare'' any time there…”

“Mr. Chairman, I recall in the previous administration they cutely coined the phrase ``corporate welfare'' any time there was any attempt by this institution or others in this country to fall on the side of free enterprise and the private sector. So I think this is one of those occasions where that phrase is being exploited to a great degree. I want to point out that there are many positive aspects of the Market Access Program. The fiscal year 2005 funding level on this program authorized by the farm bill will be $140 million from the Commodity Credit Corporation to help initiate and expand sales of U.S. ag products: fish and forest products overseas. Rural American farmers and ranchers are the primary suppliers of commodities that benefit from MAP. All regions of the country benefit from the program's employment and economic effects from expanded agricultural export markets. So there is probably not a State in this Nation that does not see a direct benefit from this. Ag exports are expected to reach a record $61.5 billion this year. There are well over 1 million jobs related to ag exports. This program goes a long way towards making sure American ag products have export markets.”