WASHINGTON  -  U.S. Representative Jo Ann Emerson (MO-08) last evening cast her vote in favor of the FY 2006 Agriculture Appropriations Bill, H.R. 2744.  The legislation contains over $18 billion for the nation’s farm programs, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

 

“I consider it a major victory to have restored so much funding to this important bill.  In rural America, farm programs are an important component of our economy.  They keep family farms afloat and help ensure a stable, secure, affordable food supply for the nation and the world,” Emerson said.  “Our nation’s farmers and ranchers work hard, and they deserve the support they have been promised by our nation’s leaders.”

 

Initial cuts in the federal budget for FY 2006 threatened to reduce programs which farmers depend upon to assist in their marketing strategies.

 

As in past years, the Agriculture Appropriations bill again includes language offered by Emerson to prohibit the Food and Drug Administration from prosecuting Americans who get prescription drugs from Canada and other nations.

 

“It is important to keep seeking a permanent solution to the high cost of prescription drugs in the U.S.  For many poor American seniors, they are forced to choose between medicine from Canada and no medicine at all.  This language would at least prevent the FDA from cutting Americans off from this source of safe prescription drugs.  I will continue to insist that Congress find ways to apply downward pressure on prices in the U.S. prescription drug market,” Emerson said.