Dear Senator,
The undersigned organizations support H.R. 2673, the FY 2004 omnibus appropriations bill that is scheduled for consideration during the week of January 19, 2004. When this bill is brought to the floor, we urge you to vote YES on cloture and YES on final passage.
This bill is the product of much Congressional work. It combines seven of thirteen Congressional spending bills and funds ten federal departments. Specific to the agriculture portion of the bill, it funds important agricultural and food priorities. These include funding for food and farm programs, conservation programs, research initiatives, trade promotion, and animal and plant health, and other individual Congressional priorities.
In addition, this bill funds the safety net for agricultural producers and the public. It funds important USDA food and nutrition programs such as the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), Food Stamps, school meals programs, meat and poultry inspection, farm support programs, food, nutrition, and agricultural research, plus the Food and Drug Administration. Taken together, this bill funds a significant portion of the federal U.S. budget that ensures safe food and fiber for American consumers and provides access to nutritious foods by low-income individuals and families.
We urge your vote in support of this legislation. To defeat this legislation would create tremendous uncertainty in the programs that producers and consumers rely upon for their livelihood and confidence in our food supply.
Please vote YES on cloture and YES on final passage.
Sincerely,
American Farm Bureau Federation
American Meat Institute
American Soybean Association
California Table Grape Commission
National Cotton Council
Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association
International Banana Association
National Barley Growers Association
National Cattlemen’s Beef Association
National Chicken Council
National Grain Sorghum Producers
National Food Processors Association
National Turkey Federation
National Pork Producers Council
National Oilseed Processors
Public Lands Council
Produce Marketing Association
Tennessee Vegetable & Fruit Growers Association
United Egg Producers
United Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Association
USA Dry Pea & Lentil Council
USA Rice Federation
US Canola Association
U.S. Rice Producers