Letter to Senators Regarding 2004 Omnibus Appropriations

NCC co-signed letter to Senators in support of support H.R. 2673, the FY 2004 omnibus appropriations bill.

Published: January 16, 2004
Updated: January 16, 2004

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