The back story as to why the war-funding bill passed
While there is much “high-fiv’n” going on regarding the passage of the latest war-funding bill that sets a timetable for troop pullout, the truth is like all past bills, many Democrats (like all other bills considered) still were not convinced about this latest proposal. The only way they were able to get agreement had nothing to do with the war, but the promise of funding for pet projects. Here are some of them included in the bill:
- Spinach: Provides $25 million for payments to spinach producers that were unable to market spinach crops as a result of the FDA Public Health Advisory issued on September 14, 2006.
– Shrimp: Provides $120 million to the shrimp industry for expenses related to the consequences of Hurricane Katrina.
– Peanut Storage Subsidies: Provides $74 million to extend peanut storage payments through 2007. The Peanut Subsidy Storage program, which is set to expire this year, pays farmers for the storage, handling, and other costs for peanuts voluntarily placed in the marketing loan program.
– Aquaculture Operations: Provides $5 million for payments to “aquaculture operations and other persons in the U.S. engaged in the business of breeding, rearing, or transporting live fish” (such as shellfish, oysters and clams) to cover economic losses incurred as a result of an emergency order issued by the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service on October 24, 2006.
– NASA: Provides $35 million to NASA, under the “exploration capabilities” account, for “expenses related to the consequences of Hurricane Katrina.”
– HUD Indian Housing: Provides $80 million in tenant-based rental assistance for public and Indian housing under HUD.
(source)
