Veneman, Conrad Trade Harsh Words

February 19, 2002

Sen. Kent Conrad (D-ND) last week charged that Secretary of Agriculture Ann Veneman sought the help of Canadian officials to change the shape of farm legislation making its way through Congress. Veneman shot back that the report "is simply inaccurate," and her account was confirmed by Canada.

Conrad took to the Senate floor to express how he felt about a Canadian newspaper's report that Veneman asked Canadian farm minister Lyle Vanclief, to come to Washington and lobby the Congress against the farm bill. Conrad called on the President to renounce the reported request. "Mr. President, we now have the Secretary of Agriculture of the United States asking the official of a foreign government to come to Washington to lobby the United States Congress against a farm bill designed to help American farmers. What is she thinking?"

The reference was to an article that appeared in the Western Producer, a Canadian newspaper, that reported that Vanclief, during a phone call with Veneman, was invited to come to Washington and help lobby Congress against the farm bill. Vanclief's press aide, Donald Boulanger is quoted in the article as saying, "She told Lyle to put pressure on Congress...She said their political system is different from ours because the Congress has so much power. She said 'Lyle, you have to help me lobby Congress.'"

Veneman said, "This press report is simply inaccurate. I have spoken to (Vanclief) … and he has apologized for these inaccurate statements made by his staff. He knows that the particular press report is not correct and that it does not reflect the statement he released on Feb. 8 regarding this issue."

She added, "Senator, we could have easily cleared up this miscommunication through a simple phone call. I would appreciate that courtesy in the future. We are always available to talk and assist members of Congress and have worked extremely hard during the past year to respond to Congressional inquiries. While we may not agree on policy issues all the time, we are all working toward the same goals. It would be helpful if we can try to do this in a constructive way."

In a statement, Vanclief confirmed Veneman's account.