FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 31, 2007

Goodlatte Comments on Administration’s Farm Bill Proposal

WASHINGTON – Today, Ranking Republican Bob Goodlatte issued the following statement on the Administration's farm bill proposal released today:

“Earlier this morning, Secretary Johanns provided the Committee members with a preview of the Administration's farm bill proposal. In the next few days, we will have the opportunity to look at this proposal in detail, but, at initial glance, I believe it contains a variety of interesting ideas that warrant further examination. I appreciate the time and effort Secretary Johanns and his team at USDA put into gathering feedback from America 's farmers and ranchers and formulating recommendations for the next farm bill. The process of compiling the next farm bill is still in its early stages and we will consider the proposal offered by the Administration just as we will consider the feedback we gathered from farmers and ranchers throughout the Committee's own farm bill hearing series.

The Congress, specifically the members of the House Committee on Agriculture, will be responsible for writing the next farm bill. While the variety and depth of information available to us will surely stimulate rigorous debate in the Committee and the Congress, the overarching goal is to produce a dynamic and comprehensive legislative package that will strengthen the vitality of American agriculture. By providing an adequate safety net to our farmers and ranchers, we can ensure American consumers have continued access to the safest, most affordable food and fiber supply in the world.”

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