Mr. President, I rise to oppose this amendment. The FDA loan guarantees are critical to our farmers, our rural small businesses, and community banks in small towns across the country. The loan guarantee programs help support commercial and…

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent the following members of Senator Bingaman's office be granted the privilege of the floor for the pendency of S. 3240, the farm bill: Bijan Peters, Eugenia Woods, James Anderson, Aurora Trujillo, Carl…

Mr. President, I would urge a ``no'' vote on this amendment. The good news is, the people who were mentioned will no longer be able to get farm subsidies under this bill because of the reforms we have already put in place. We have already…

I yield the remainder of the time. The PRESIDING OFFICER. All time having expired, the question is on agreeing to the amendment. The amendment (No. 2321) was agreed to. Amendment No. 2276 The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from South…

I thank Senator Lieberman for his leadership on environmental issues facing his State and the Long Island Sound. Yes, that is my intent through the Regional Conservation Partnership Program.

Mr. President, I would urge my colleagues to oppose this amendment that would prohibit the zero cost check-off programs. These programs are funded by the private industry, not taxpayers. They are incredibly beneficial to farmers and…

Mr. President, I rise to oppose the amendment that would cut funding for critical programs for small businesses in rural communities across the country. In the 1930s and 1940s we made a commitment to rural electrification and extended what…

Mr. President, I ask for the yeas and nays. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there a sufficient second? There appears to be a sufficient second. The question is on agreeing to the amendment, as modified. The clerk will call the roll. The bill…

I would ask the Presiding Officer if there is any time remaining in the debate? The PRESIDING OFFICER. All debate time has expired.

Mr. President, on behalf of the ranking member and myself, I yield back the time. It is my understanding that we may proceed with a voice vote on this amendment. The PRESIDING OFFICER. If there is no further debate, the question is on…

Mr. President, I must, regretfully, oppose this amendment. I deeply care about protecting nutrition assistance programs. I hope that is not in doubt. But here is what is going on. In a handful of States, they have found a way to increase…

Mr. President, I strongly commend Senator Feinstein and strongly support the amendment. It is my understanding we do have those who have asked for a rollcall vote on this amendment. I yield to my ranking member. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The…

Mr. President, it is my understanding that we can proceed with a voice vote on this amendment. The amendment (No. 2199) was agreed to.

I ask for the yeas and nays. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there a sufficient second? There appears to be a sufficient second. The question is on agreeing to the amendment. The clerk will call the roll. The assistant legislative clerk called…

Mr. President, I rise to oppose this amendment. I appreciate the interest and concern of the Senator from Tennessee. Let me just say that this amendment would cut off access for farmers and small businesses that are looking to develop wind…

Mr. President, I wish to take a moment--the ranking member has yielded some time to me--to thank Senator Feinstein. This is an excellent amendment. She has done a tremendous amount of work on it. I urge a ``yes'' vote. The PRESIDING…

Madam President, I believe a voice vote is OK. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The question is on agreeing to the amendment. The amendment (No. 2243) was agreed to. Amendment No. 2172

Madam President, I strongly oppose this amendment. We are talking about improvements in managing errors, reducing errors in the nutrition program. The amendment of the Senator would eliminate the error-reduction bonuses that go to State…