Kevin Roberts: “I wish to talk about the farm bill. As we can see from an open Senate, I think we have done our work, and we have been…”

“I wish to talk about the farm bill. As we can see from an open Senate, I think we have done our work, and we have been successful. Most of what we can say on this bill has already been said. After final passage, I simply wish to reiterate what the chairwoman has said, what I have said all along: This is a reform bill. We cut $23 billion in mandatory spending. These are real cuts, no gimmicks. We have eliminated four commodity programs--four commodity programs. We have streamlined conservation programs from 23 to 13. We have eliminated numerous other authorizations. In total, approximately 100 authorizations for spending and appropriations are eliminated. This is real reform. I also wish to take a quick moment to thank all the staff who have worked so hard on this legislation, especially the committee staff on both the majority and the minority sides. I especially wish to thank the legislative magician, if I may call him that--expert--David Schiappa and his staff. They are no longer here, but they guided us through some difficult times, as he always does--as they always do. I would like to take a few moments to recognize the members of my staff who worked on this bill. For me, this is a very special occasion. We are only as good as our staff. I have been blessed with the very best, and I have been a bucket toter. That is what a staff member is. When someone totes buckets, they try not to spill anything.…”