NELSON STATEMENT ON FARM BILL VETO OVERRIDE

June 18, 2008 - Nebraska's Senator Ben Nelson released the following statement on Congress overriding President Bush's veto:

"Congress again came together to approve over the president’s objections a new five-year farm bill.

"The Administration continues to object to this farm bill because they claim it lacks reform.  To be fair, however, this farm bill does include reforms. While I remain disappointed that the payment limits and reforms didn’t go farther, I recognize that improvements to the current programs have been made. Unfortunately, the Administration spent more time vetoing and threatening to veto this bill than they actually did making any effort to get more reforms.

"The people of Nebraska will benefit from this bill with funding for a National Drought Mitigation Center at the University of Nebraska Lincoln and research on water use in the High Plains Aquifer region.

"Additionally, it is important to note that in light of recent news about spiking gas prices, this Farm Bill also seeks to extend greater oversight over oil markets. This is an important provision that will prove invaluable in the coming months.

"I reiterate that this Farm Bill is not perfect but Congress did make important improvements that cannot be overlooked and now is not the time to turn our backs on our farmers, ranchers and rural communities."

Nelson serves on the Senate Committee on Agriculture.

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