HOUSE AGRICULTURE COMMITTEE ADOPTS BUDGET LETTER
News Date March 03, 2008
The House Agriculture Committee adopted their budget views and estimates letter on February 27 which outlines the committee's budget recommendations for the FY09 Budget Resolution. Each congressional authorizing committee is required to submit its views to the House Budget Committee before lawmakers consider their annual budget resolution.
The budget letter states that the chief priority of the committee continues to be reauthorization of the farm bill. It urges the Budget Committee to provide the funding necessary to continue administering conservation, nutrition, renewable energy, credit, and farm safety net programs. House Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin Peterson (D-Minn.) and ranking member Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) noted that farm policy and programs impact all consumers, save taxpayers billions of dollars, and enhance the well-being of farmers, ranchers, needy citizens, and consumers by ensuring a safe, affordable food supply. The budget letter did not recommend any specific spending numbers, but noted the current budget baseline is $60 billion less than when the 2002 farm bill was written.
A copy of the budget and estimates letter is available on the committee website at http://agriculture.house.gov/inside/publications.html. (Contact: Charlie Ingram)