Family Farmer Bankruptcy Relief
The “Family Farmer Bankruptcy Relief Extension” (H.R. 1914) extends Chapter 12 of title 11 of the United States Code for an additional 4 months from the current expiration date of June 1, 2001.   I supported H.R. 1914, which was passed by the House of Representatives on June 6, 2001, and signed into law (Public Law No: 107-17) by the President on June 26, 2001.   click here to read more

Animal Disease

On May 9, 2001, the House of Representatives passed the "Animal Disease Risk Assessment, Prevention, and Control Act of 2001" (S. 700).  The legislation directs the Secretary of Agriculture to submit a preliminary report to specified congressional committees concerning (1) inter-agency measures to assess, prevent, and control the spread of foot and mouth disease and bovine spongiform encephalopathy (mad cow disease) in the United States; (2) related Federal information sources available to the public; and (3) the need for any additional legislative authority or product bans.   I supported S. 700, which was signed by the President into law (Public Law No: 107-9) on May 24, 2001.  click here to read more

Economic Crop Assistance
In an effort to help bolster the sagging fortunes of the agricultural community, on June 26, 2001, the House considered and passed an economic assistance package "2001 Crop Year Economic Assistance Act"  (H.R. 2213) for farmers.  H.R. 2213 provides a total of $5.5 billion in economic assistance to farmers, making up for low market prices in the current crop year.  Specifically, the measure provides: (1) $4.6 billion for supplemental market loss assistance payments to individuals receiving “Freedom to Farm” payments; (2)  $432 million to producers of oilseeds, $54.2 million to producers of peanuts, and $84.7 million to the producers and first handlers of cottonseed, all in accordance with assistance provided in the Agriculture Risk Protection Act of 2000; (3) $129 million in supplemental payments to tobacco quota holders; and (4) $16.9 million to producers of wool and mohair, in accordance with last years agriculture appropriations bill.  I supported H.R. 2213, which was signed into law (Public Law No: 107-25) by the President on August 13, 2001.  click here to read more