Washington, D.C. — Rep. Bob Etheridge today supported H.R. 2997, the Agriculture Appropriations Act as one that will protect Americans’ food safety, boost rural economies, and help feed struggling families.
H.R. 2297 also cuts millions of dollars from programs that are not working.
“America’s families should have no doubts about the safety of the food they put on their table,” said Etheridge “This legislation ensures that every family can have confidence that what they feed their children is safe and nutritious, while also investing in rural communities, business growth, new infrastructure and new jobs.”
The Agriculture Appropriations Act contains specific provisions targeted towards rural communities hit by the current economic downturn. It also provides investments in community facilities, housing, water projects and rural businesses — creating opportunities for growth and development in every community.
To protect low-income women, children and senior citizens faced with rising food costs and shrinking wages, this legislation increases nutrition assistance programs for nearly ten million Americans in need.
The Agriculture Appropriations Act also provides additional oversight that will help protect American families from needless price spikes in the cost of basic necessities. H.R. 2297 protects consumers by beefing up funding for the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), the agency that regulates commodities markets like energy and food, providing for additional staff and resources it needs to do its job.
Once passed by the Senate, this legislation will go to the President’s desk to be signed into law.