Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. letter to F. R., June 16, 1997

ROBERT L. EHRLICH, JR. „ANKING AND FINANCIAL SERVICES ASSISTANT MAJORITY WHIP Congress of tfic tHniteb States Souse of Sepresentatibcs ©Hasftington, Э£ 20515-2002 June 16, 1997 Thank you for contacting me regarding the appropriations for the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) for Fiscal Year (FY) 1998. Your viewpoint is helpful to me. Congress has allocated the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), which oversees the NRCS, $13 billion in discretionary funds from which NRCS programs are funded. In his budget proposal, President Clinton requested $821 million for the NRCS, an increase of $51 million above FY 1997 levels. The full House Appropriations Committee and its Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies must first review and amend the President’s proposal, as do their counterparts in the U. S. Senate. This year, Congress has initiated a historic agreement to balance the budget to protect the economic future of Americans. A vital part of the agreement requires Congress to give every program a second look when making funding decisions. Although I do not serve on the House Appropriations Committee, I will keep your recommendations in mind when I have the opportunity to vote on the final appropriations legislation. I hope this information is helpful. If you need future assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me. Very truly yours, Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. Member of Congress PRINTED ON RECYCLED I