A bit of sanity shines through from the White House
Posted by Amber Gunn - May 21, 2008President Bush vetoed the $300 billion farm bill today, accompanied by a strong reprimand to members of Congress for their fiscal irresponsibility.
There’s something for everyone in the bill though, and that makes for a veto-proof majority.
President Bush is also being slammed by the Armed Services panel for his executive order barring government agencies from spending any earmark funds that have been added in House and Senate committee or conference report instead of the original bill’s language.
House Dems are shoving back. “The president’s executive order would tear away years of history and tradition concerning the relationship between Congress and the Department of Defense,” Rep. Ike Shelton (D-Mo.) told The Hill.
Translation: We like our pork and don’t you dare try to touch it. Congress and DoD have a mutually beneficial arrangement that’s been around for decades. You can’t touch us.
President Bush has his faults, but he’s right on the farm bill and right on earmarks.
Here’s a portion of his veto message.
For Immediate Release May 21, 2008
TO THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES:
I am returning herewith without my approval H.R. 2419, the "Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008."
For a year and a half, I have consistently asked that the Congress pass a good farm bill that I can sign. Regrettably, the Congress has failed to do so. At a time of high food prices and record farm income, this bill lacks program reform and fiscal discipline. It continues subsidies for the wealthy and increases farm bill spending by more than $20 billion, while using budget gimmicks to hide much of the increase. It is inconsistent with our objectives in international trade negotiations, which include securing greater market access for American farmers and ranchers. It would needlessly expand the size and scope of government. Americans sent us to Washington to achieve results and be good stewards of their hard-earned taxpayer dollars. This bill violates that fundamental commitment.
Now is also not the time to create a new uncapped revenue guarantee that could cost billions of dollar more than advertised. This is on top of a farm bill that is anticipated to cost more than $600 billion over 10 years. In addition, this bill would force many businesses to prepay their taxes in order to finance the additional spending.
This legislation is also filled with earmarks and other ill‑considered provisions. Most notably, H.R. 2419 provides: $175 million to address water issues for desert lakes; $250 million for a 400,000-acre land purchase from a private owner; funding and authority for the noncompetitive sale of National Forest land to a ski resort; and $382 million earmarked for a specific watershed. These earmarks, and the expansion of Davis-Bacon Act prevailing wage requirements, have no place in the farm bill. Rural and urban Americans alike are frustrated with excessive government spending and the funneling of taxpayer funds for pet projects. This bill will only add to that frustration.
GEORGE W. BUSH
THE WHITE HOUSE
*Hat tip: Jason Mercier for the Washington Policy Center
Thoughts? Add Comment -
Debbie Terry said on May 25 2008 at 8:59pm
A great example of "pork-barrel politics. Thank you for sharing. I will keep a copy to share when trying to explain to others.