Wednesday, July 25, 2007

Farm Bill vote on THURS. Call Now!!

This week the House will be voting on the farm bill. Last Thursday, the full Agriculture Committee voted to implement little change to the 2002 farm bill, yet called those modest changes "reform". Now is the time for your member of Congress to know that those changes are not sufficient for struggling farmers or hungry people here or around the world. We can and must do better. As a more just alternative, Reps. Ron Kind (D-WI) and Jeff Flake (R-AZ) will offer the Fairness in Farm and Food Policy Amendment. Your representative's vote for this amendment is critical. It is time to support real reform and fairness in America's farm and food policy.

Please call your representative by NOON, Thursday, July 26, at 1-800-826-3688. Urge your representative to vote for the Fairness in Farm and Food Policy Amendment offered by Reps. Ron Kind and Jeff Flake. Let Congress know that the House Agriculture Committee's version of the farm bill does little to change the inequities of farm payments and it must be amended.

[Note: This toll-free number will connect you to the Capitol switchboard, where you will ask to be connected to your representative’s office in order to leave your message.]

Read about the Fairness in Farm and Food Policy Amendment and learn why your action is so vital.

Talking points:

-The House Agriculture Committee sent out a bill that makes minimal changes, falling far short of its claims to help all farmers equitably and fairly. The Committee missed its opportunity to design a safety net that works better for American farmers and to bring the farm bill more in line with realties of rural poverty.

-The Fairness in Farm and Food Policy Amendment addresses many concerns left behind by the Committee bill.

-The Fairness Amendment provides critical funding to strengthen nutrition programs, rural communities, conservation programs, without relying on uncertain funding from outside of the committee.

-The priorities in the Fairness Amendment reflect the priorities of most Americans—not just the few, powerful interests that have dominated the debate for decades.

-As your constituent, I urge you to vote for the Fairness in Farm and Food Policy Amendment when it is offered on the floor.

Thanks for calling today!

2 comments:

Eriko K said...

Hi Cindy, I am eager to find out what happened -- did they have the vote? -- Eriko

CCYL said...

It should have happened! I'll post some results when I see them. Thanks for checking in! -Cindy