Pelosi Statement on House Vote to Override the President's Veto of the Bipartisan Farm Bill

Washington, D.C. -- Speaker Nancy Pelosi issued the following statement after the House voted 317 to 109 to override the President's veto of the Food and Energy Security Act or the Farm Bill. The bipartisan legislation is supported by more than 1,000 organizations representing farmers, conservationists, and those supporting energy alternatives and nutrition assistance for families and children.

"Last month, the Congress passed the Food and Energy Security Act, a new Farm Bill for America, because it will help lower food prices, makes an historic new commitment to nutrition assistance and food stamps, invests in energy independence, supports conservation, and recognizes the importance of fruits, vegetables, and other specialty crops.

"The Food and Energy Security Act will also help reduce gas prices and ensure that America's family farmers fuel America's energy independence. The bill makes a $1 billion investment in energy independence, takes a critical step in transitioning from bio-fuels made from corn, and creates a new tax credit that will provide a $400 million investment in cellulosic biofuels, such as switchgrass. These efforts will help ensure that we send our energy dollars to the Midwest and across America, instead of to the Middle East.

"Thanks to the efforts of Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin Peterson and many others, who have made a historic investment in energy independence and nutrition assistance, this bill?s effects will also be felt far away from farm country. This legislation deserved the broad, bipartisan support it garnered and thanks to another strong, bipartisan vote today to override the President's veto, it will become law despite the opposition of President Bush."