News Release, July 23, 2000

DIAZ-BALART AND ROS-LEHTINEN: STRIP NETHERCUTT AND MOVE AID TO FARMERS

Washington, DC - Congressmen Lincoln Diaz-Balart (R-FL) and Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL) issued the following statement today on the stalled agriculture appropriations bill for Fiscal Year 2001: 

"It is unfortunate that Mr. Nethercutt continues to block passage of $14 billion in assistance to America's farmers because of his support for a provision allowing unrestricted agricultural trade with terrorist regimes. There has been one meeting and it yielded no progress.  There have been no follow-up talks.  It is time to remove the Nethercutt provision and move forward with the Agricultural Appropriations Bill to help America's farmers. The Republican Leadership wants the provision removed, and most of the Democratic Leadership does not support it as well.  We should not block $14 billion in aid to farmers because of a provision which seeks to provide products to the brutal regimes in Iran and Cuba.  It is time to remember that these pariah states have the blood of Americans on their hands."