Press Releases

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Donald M. Payne voted for legislation that will protect Americans' food safety, boost rural economies, protect Americans against price fluctuations for necessities and help feed struggling families. To maintain fiscal responsibility, the Agriculture Appropriations Act also cuts millions of dollars from programs that are not working.  House Resolution 2997, the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 2010, passed by a vote of 266 - 160.
 
"Americans should never have doubts about the safety of the food they put on their table," said Payne. "This legislation will help us restore people's trust in the safety of our food so that every parent can have confidence that what they feed their children will not make them sick."

HR 2997 helps rural communities hit by the economic crisis by building on the success of the Recovery Act with investments in community facilities, housing, water projects and rural businesses – creating additional opportunities for growth and development in every community.

"Our rural towns have been hit especially hard by this economic crisis," said Payne. "With this bill, we will reinvest in rural communities, thereby spurring business growth, supporting new infrastructure and bringing new jobs and hope to our communities."

To protect low-income women, children and senior citizens faced with rising food costs and shrinking wages, the legislation increases nutrition aid to families. It expands services to an additional 700,000 women and children and creates new programs to help ensure that American families do not go hungry.

"By passing this bill, we are helping families put nutritious food on the table through these tough times," said Payne. "This is an absolute necessity to ensure that all Americans have access to healthy food for their families."

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