THIS IS A PRESS RELEASE FROM THE OFFICE OF WV CONGRESSWOMAN SHELLEY MOORE CAPITO.

WASHINGTON – Rep. Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) this week cast her vote for comprehensive farm and agriculture legislation pending before the House of Representatives, voicing her support for much-needed conservation efforts, disaster assistance initiatives, rural development projects and the expansion of food-stamp programs.

“This legislation is comprehensive in its scope and will provide important benefits for West Virginians,” said Capito. “In addition to providing important farm policy reforms, it makes rural development initiatives a top priority and reauthorizes vital nutrition and food stamp programs that provide support for West Virginians in need.”

The conference report for the Food and Energy Security Act passed the House by a vote of 318 to 106 and will reauthorize land conservation programs administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, granting additional budget authority for key programs.

The legislation will also reauthorize nutrition programs, extending the Food Stamp Program through 2012 and indexing the food stamp eligibility requirements to inflation.

The rural development segment of the bill will create the National Center for Rural Telecommunications Assessment, while also providing $120 million in federal funding for water systems projects, waste disposal systems and emergency community water assistance grants.