Rep. Robert Aderholt, R-Ala.
House Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman Robert Aderholt, R-Ala., showed little enthusiasm today for the Obama administration’s proposal for shifting food aid programs to development assistance at the U.S. Agency for International Development.

“The reality is the department’s request includes $1.3 billion in spending increases that are largely offset by a proposal to move $1.4 billion from the Food for Peace program under USDA’s jurisdiction to international development assistance programs under State and Foreign Operations jurisdiction,” Aderholt said in a news release after Vilsack testified before the subcommittee.

“Against the backdrop of a very poor economy, agriculture exports continue to be a bright spot in our nation’s trade balance,” Aderholt continued. “U.S. agriculture exports have exceeded $478 billion over the past four years and they are on track to set a new record this year.”

“However, this is the second year in a row we have not seen any new efforts, initiatives or plans by USDA to do more for agricultural exports,” he continued.

“As we look for avenues for cost savings and programs that promote growth, I think the department is missing a major investment opportunity when it comes to agriculture exports,” added Aderholt.

In his opening statement, Aderholt noted that, while the farm bills the Senate and the House Agriculture Committee passed last year included cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, the USDA budget proposes continuing the increase in food stamps that was included in the Recovery Act at an additional cost of $2.3 billion.

“There seems to be a disconnect here,” Aderholt said. He also said that the overall Obama budget is dependent on a tax increase and so is “dead on arrival.”