War bill also has funding for spinach, peanuts . . .

[OneBlueSky]

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-warpork24mar24,1,678688.story?coll=la-headlines-nation

WASHINGTON — The war spending bill passed by the House on Friday is officially called the U.S. Troop Readiness, Veterans' Health and Iraq Accountability Act. But Republicans would say that it could also be called the Spinach Growers, Peanut Storage and Dairy Farmers Rescue Act.

President Bush asked for $103 billion for expenses related to fighting the war on terrorism in Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere. He got that and more: not only a series of deadlines for withdrawing U.S. troops from Iraq, but also $21 billion in additional spending, much of it unrelated to war.

(snip)

Spinach growers got $25 million because the fall E. coli scare depressed sales. The shrimp industry received $120 million for Hurricane Katrina losses. Federal support for peanut storage, due to expire after 2006, was extended one year at a cost of $74 million. Shellfish producers were compensated $5 million for losses from a disease, viral hemorrhagic septicemia.

(snip)

"By passing earmark reforms, Congress signaled that it was serious about restoring fiscal responsibility to the budget process," said Tom Schatz, president of Citizens Against Government Waste. "It seems the commitment to reform was short-lived."

- more . . .

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-warpork24mar24,1,678688.story?coll=la-headlines-nation

[MistressOverdone]

1. Of all the crazy things about our democracy

this is one of the craziest. I've never quite figured this practice out.

But I like spinach.

[annabanana]

2. Tom Schatz. . . A bunch of crap talking points....

The so called "Lard" in the bill is stuff that the repug congress dragged its heels on for years.

[Lobster Martini]

3. It must be really relaxing to have no memory

This is John McCain's rant against the inclusion of crop, livestock and dairy grants in an emergency supplemental appropriations bill. Note that it predates the mid-term elections, and Republicans controlled both the House and Senate at the time. It must be nice to be a Republican and have absolutely no recollection of legistation passed less than a year ago.

May 03, 2006

MCCAIN STATEMENT ON CROP, LIVESTOCK AND DAIRY PROVISIONS IN THE SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS BILL

Washington D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator John McCain (R-AZ) spoke before the United States Senate and submitted for the record the following statement on his amendment, to strike $74.5 million for grants to States based on their production of certain types of crops, livestock and dairy products, to the Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Bill:

"Mr. President, I call up Amendment #3616, and ask for its immediate consideration. This amendment would strike $74.5 million for grants to States based on their production of certain types of crops, livestock and dairy products, which was not included in the Administration's emergency supplemental request.

[shain from kane]

4. You can't eat Chinese food or drink soda without harming yourself. How about a steady diet of

spinach and peanut butter, without the salmonella side dish. Popeye and Underdog approve.

[spanone]

5. unfortunately this is how business gets done in DC. always has been

the republicans are the pork specialists.