WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman André Carson released the following statement this afternoon after the U.S. House of Representatives overrode President Bush’s veto of H.R. 2419, the Farm Bill:

 “Today, I joined an overwhelming number of my Congressional colleagues in rejecting President Bush’s callous attempt to deny much needed aid and assistance to our nation’s hardworking farmers and rural communities.  By overriding the President’s veto of the Farm Bill, this New Direction Congress has demonstrated that it remains steadfastly committed to ensuring that our nation’s agricultural sector continues to be a viable and essential part of America’s economic development and energy progression.  

 “Nearly three-fourths of the Farm Bill, an additional $10.4 billion in new spending, goes to nutrition programs that will help 38 million American families afford healthy food.  Furthermore, this comprehensive aid package reforms disaster assistance to make it a permanent, paid for program for farmers with crops stricken by natural disasters such as drought and flood.

 “By strengthening our agricultural sectors we can bolster our nation’s food aid initiatives, increase our investments in renewable energy programs, and bring much needed development to some of our nation’s disadvantaged rural communities.  This Farm Bill will strengthen our agricultural industries and propel America’s farm policies in a new and more stable direction.”

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