Earlier today the Senate Agriculture Committee sat down to review the 2007 Farm Bill that I authored.

After months of hard work and spirited negotiations, I was pleased to present the bill, which is known in Washington parlance as the “Chairman’s mark” of the legislation entitled, The Food and Energy Security Act.

It is a bipartisan bill that, I believe, will enjoy broad support on the committee. It conforms to a strict budget allocation and pay-as-you-go budget rules, yet still addresses the diverse geographical and philosophical views on our Committee in a balanced way. I would like to thank Chairman Conrad of the Budget Committee and Chairman Baucus of the Finance Committee for their help in making this possible.

Earlier today the U.S. Senate gave its bi-partisan approval to the “Health and Education Bill” that I authored. As Chairman of the Appropriations Subcommittee, I am proud to have authored this bill that makes so many critical investments in our home front.

The bill adds $1 billion to the National Institutes of Health budget, provides $450 million more to students with disabilities, allocates $200 million more to help children get a good start through the Head Start program and makes college more affordable by increasing the maximum Pell grant to $4,800 per year.

Sen. Tom Harkin addressed the 2007 Poverty Summit of the Iowa Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church earlier in the month and they recently posted video of his speech online through Blip.TV. Click read more to watch the video.

Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA), released the following statement today following a failed veto override in the United States House of Representatives for a bill President Bush vetoed that would have funded healthcare for children:

“I find it deeply disturbing that many House Republicans have decided to stand by the President instead of taking action to protect our kids’ health. Even though 81 percent of Americans and large bi-partisan majorities in Congress want this bill to be signed into law, the President and those who persist in supporting his misguided ideology continue to stand in the way.

(cross-posted on www.dailykos.com)

Just a few weeks after vetoing health care for American children, the president has again threatened to block investing in important domestic priorities here at home.

The Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations bill that I will manage on the Senate floor this week supports American families, invests in this country’s future and reflects our shared values.

The Des Moines Register reported today that our campaign to reelect Sen. Tom Harkin raised over $1 million in the third quarter with over $400,000 coming in from individual donations at the 2007 Harkin Steak Fry:

Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) today released the following statement in reaction to President Bush’s veto of the Children’s Health Care Program (CHIP) which provides basic health insurance to more than six million children whose parents cannot afford private insurance.

“Just two short days after the President declared October 1st Child Health Day and recognized the important role CHIP has played in helping poor children stay healthy, he has decided to turn his back on the health of millions of American kids,” said Harkin.

Sen. Tom Harkin took on right-wing radio host Rush Limbaugh today on the floor of the Senate for his “phony soldiers” comment in reference to soldiers who voice opposition to the War in Iraq and President Bush’s overall strategy in the War on Terror.