Schwarz stakes out positions on Farm Bill, Intelligence Authorization, Iran

Last week, I finished the April recess with a three day tour of farms throughout my district. Local farmers and agriculture producers came to talk to me about the 2002 Farm Bill, which is set to expire in 2007. I was joined for part of the tour by House Agriculture Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-VA), and we discussed what worked with the Farm Bill and what needed to be changed.

I was very encouraged by the turnout at these events and I learned a great deal of valuable first hand information. I look forward to working with the Chairman and the rest of the House Agriculture Committee in the coming months on the reauthorization of this important legislation.

This week, I returned to Washington D.C. to debate and vote on H.R. 5020, the Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2007. Since I came to Congress, the House Armed Services Committee, of which I am a member, has reviewed all of the intelligence on credible threats to the safety of the United States. I am committed to ensuring that we have the intellectual capital in our military and foreign service to address these threats. I voted in favor of this critically important bill for the safety and security of our nation. It passed the House by a vote of 327 – 96.

The House also passed H.R. 282, the Iran Freedom Support Act, with my support, by a vote of 397-21. I am proud to stand with the majority of colleagues and oppose Iran in its quest to develop nuclear weapons.