Mitch Landrieu: “I want to take 2 minutes, though, to address the sugar issue that was earlier debated on the floor and to submit some…”

“I want to take 2 minutes, though, to address the sugar issue that was earlier debated on the floor and to submit some things for the Record. I listened to the debate this morning, and I know the sugar program, every year, seems to conjure up all sorts of images that the opponents of this cost-effective program try to use: ``It is a sweet deal.'' ``It is a candy-coated program.'' ``It leaves a sour taste in people's mouths.'' Don't let these quick sound bites fool you. All the sugar farmers and sugar beet farmers and producers in Louisiana and other communities who support these farmers and producers want is fairness. Mr. President, there is nothing sweet about fatigue. That is what many of our farmers in this Nation are experiencing this year--fatigue. They are tired. They are stressed. Prices are low. There is drought in many areas of our Nation. Farmers have been through a tough time, and sugar farmers are no exception. This is a program that works. This is a program to which the taxpayers provide very little money. This is a loan program.…”