05/16/08 McMorris Rodgers glad to have a farm bill

Washington Ag May 16, 2008 Both the U.S. House and Senate have passed the 2008 Farm Bill conference report with veto proof majorities. Still Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer says the president will veto the bill. Fifth District Republican, Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers, who voted for the Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008, says she will vote to override a presidential veto. McMorris Rodgers says there are things you like and don't like in every bill but overall she thinks this farm bill is good for eastern Washington. McMorris Rodgers: "It is very important to wheat growers that we have the safety net. This is the first time we have included the specialty crops, the fruits and vegetables, research and market assistance to them, which is important. This is also the first time there has been a significant commitment to energy, alternative energy, renewable energy, within the farm bill. I am also pleased to see within Rural Development they are including the Health Information Technology as part of the Rural Development Program which is important to eastern Washington." The only members of Washington's Congressional delegation to vote against the farm bill were Democrats Jay Inslee, Jim McDermott and Adam Smith and Republican Dave Reichert. Most of the money in the nearly 290 billion dollar five-year bill goes for food and nutrition programs, less than one-quarter to farmer subsidies. I'm Bob Hoff.