Second Veto Override of Bush Presidency Makes Forward-Looking Farm, Food, Conservation and Energy Initiatives Law

Washington, D.C. – Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) today issued the following statement in response to the Senate vote of 82 to 13 override the veto of the Food, Conservation and Energy Act in the Senate. Yesterday, the House of Representatives voted 316 to 108 to override the measure. Harkin is Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry and of the Senate-House conference committee on the new farm bill.

“The president tried to send a message with his veto of The Food, Conservation and Energy Act, but today, in the second veto override of the Bush Presidency, Congress sent an even stronger message back: this veto will not stand in the way of critical farm, food, conservation and energy investments becoming law. Not only did this bill pass both chambers with an overwhelming majority, but with the override votes, we held our majorities. This proves we have a good, strong, bipartisan farm bill. And after all of our hard work, it is a proud result for Congress as their critical legislation becomes law.”