In the wake of the U.S. House vote on the federal budget, and looking ahead to the delayed vote for the Farm Bill and the future defense budget, Illinois Congressman Bill Enyart (D - Belleville) spoke with St. Louis on the Air host Don Marsh yesterday by phone.
Here's what he had to say on a few subjects.
On his vote for the 2014 budget proposal, which passed in the House December 12.
"It’s not the budget I would have wanted but…it was a choice between this budget and no budget, and so when you look at it in that light, I think the compromises were necessary.”
On the Farm Bill.
"It's been extended [in its current form] into January in order to give time for the conference committee to resolve differences the House and Senate versions."
The main disagreement is broken down between regional lines, not between Republicans and Democrats.
"There's a bit of a disagreement between the folks who grow soybeans and the folks who grow peanuts and cotton," said Enyart.
On the possibility of a reduction at Scott Air Force Base in a few years.
"I think Scott is well positioned to grow and I intend to work not only to protect Scott but to see it grow." Enyart cites the buffer zone created by the Mid America Airport and a recent award received by the base as reasons to be "cautiously optimistic" for its future.
St. Louis on the Air provides discussion about issues and concerns facing the St. Louis area. The show is produced by Mary Edwards and Alex Heuer and hosted by veteran journalist Don Marsh.
