Edwards release

Congresswoman Donna F. Edwards Votes for 2010 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration Appropriations Act
07/09/09

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 9, 2009

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Donna F. Edwards (D-MD) today voted for the 2010 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration Appropriations bill, H.R. 2997, which passed the House by a vote of 266-160.

The bill appropriates $22.9 billion to protect public health, provides aid to those dramatically affected by the economic crisis, and reinvests in rural America. Funding provided to the Food and Drug Administration and the Food Safety and Inspection Service, in the amounts of $2.995 billion and $1.018 billion respectively, will help increase the safety of domestic and imported food products and improve inspection techniques to ensure public health and safety.

The bill provides $7.541 billion, $680 million above 2009, for the Nutrition for Women, Infants, and Children Program (WIC), helping an additional 700,000 participants. It also provides $61.352 billion, $7.383 billion over 2009, for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). These programs provide nutritional assistance to populations most affected by the economic downturn including women, children, and seniors.

“The funding in this bill will help vulnerable Americans meet their nutritional needs during this economic crisis, and increase the safety and oversight of domestic and imported food products,” said Rep. Edwards. “In order to improve overall public health, it is critical that all Americans have access to healthy food for their families. The funding in this bill is an important step in the right direction.”

Congresswoman Edwards was successful in joining with Representatives Gerald E. Connolly (VA), Frank Kratovil (MD), Jim Moran (VA), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC), C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger (MD), John P. Sarbanes (MD), Robert C. Scott (VA), and Chris Van Hollen (MD), to have an earmark for $3,998,000 to maintain and enhance service provided by the National Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to support Chesapeake Bay restoration included in the bill. NRCS provides technical assistance to farmers, landowners, watershed groups, and communities, which is critical to implementing the Farm Bill conservation programs that are the single most vital tool to improving the health of the Chesapeake Bay. “These funds will help create a healthier Chesapeake Bay and a healthier Maryland,” said Congresswoman Edwards.

In addition, the bill will:

* Provide nearly $2 million in funding to meet emergency and nonemergency humanitarian food needs in countries suffering natural disasters and political instability;
* Dedicate $2.825 billion to vital United States Department of Agriculture projects to sustain rural communities and promote growth and development in small town economies throughout the nation;
* Improve and maintain services in conservation programs that will protect the environment and upgrade aging dams.

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