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The 2007 Farm Bill, passed in the U.S. House of Representatives this week and governing the nation's agriculture and food programs, includes programs for specialty and organic crops, conservation and nutrition.
Rep. Mike Thompson, D-St. Helena, applauded their inclusion.
”This farm bill is a change in direction from previous farm policy,” said Thompson. “It gives specialty crops and organic crops a place at the table, while at the same time preserving the importance of conventional agriculture across the country.”
Today, the House of Representatives passed the Children's Health and Medicare Protection Act of 2007 (The CHAMP Act, HR 3162). This historic legislation reauthorizes the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), which provides health insurance coverage for millions of children in working families with incomes slightly too high to qualify for Medicaid. It also includes important Medicare provisions, which benefit providers and beneficiaries alike.
Today, startling new evidence was revealed during a House Natural Resources Committee hearing on whether government officials manipulated science in order to divert water from the Klamath River.
The Depart of Commerce's Inspector General testified that department officials bypassed key oversight mechanisms when creating a biological opinion on how a water diversion would affect endangered fish in the Klamath. The final biological opinion, which was later found in violation of the Endangered Species Act, contributed to the deaths of 80,000 spawning salmon.
Today, the House approved the 2007 Farm Bill, which will govern federal agriculture and food programs. Rep. Mike Thompson (D-CA) applauded the inclusion of programs for specialty crops, organic crops, conservation and enhancement of nutrition.
"This farm bill is a change in direction from previous farm policy," said Thompson. "It gives specialty crops and organic crops a place at the table, while at the same time preserving the importance of conventional agriculture across the country."
Earlier today, the House Ways and Means Committee, of which Rep. Mike Thompson (D-CA) is a member, approved major legislation extending health insurance coverage to millions of children and improving the Medicare program. The Children's Health and Medicare Protection Act (CHAMP Act) represents the government's most significant investment in children's healthcare since 1997.
The U.S. Senate approved a provision late last night to help National Guard and Reserve physicians maintain their practices during lengthy overseas deployments. The bill that was passed, HR2429 - originally authored by U.S. Representatives Mike Thompson (D-CA) and Sam Johnson (R-TX) - is the House companion to S.1767, which was introduced by U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) and U.S. Senate Republican Whip Trent Lott (R-MS) earlier this month.
Today, the House passed the “Energy and Water” appropriations bill, including $7.5 million for the Napa River Flood Project. Rep. Mike Thompson (D-Napa Valley), who championed this project, was pleased it was included in the bill. However, Thompson is committed to securing more money for the project before the appropriations bill is sent to the president.
Today, Reps. Mike Thompson (D-CA), John Murtha (D-PA), George Miller (D-CA) and Doris Matsui (D-CA) introduced legislation to immediately begin redeploying troops out of Iraq while simultaneously working with the United Nations to implement a region-wide strategy for containing Iraq's civil war.
Today, the House passed the FY 2008 “Energy and Water” appropriations bill, including $8.5 million for the West Sacramento Flood Control Project. The funding, championed by Rep. Mike Thompson (D-CA), will be used to address deficiencies in the current levee design.