Liz Saville Roberts: “I rise today to provide a few comments on the situation we are facing regarding the farm bill and the possibility of an…”

“I rise today to provide a few comments on the situation we are facing regarding the farm bill and the possibility of an assistance package this year. We are in pretty rough shape for the shape we are in, in farm country, and we need assurance that there will be an assistance package as of this year. For several weeks now, I have been warning that we need to either get a farm bill finished and apply it to this year's crop or pass an agriculture assistance package, and then pass a new bill that goes into effect for the 2003 crop. Prior to the Easter and Passover recess, I introduced an assistance package that I said was a placeholder if a bill could not be passed almost immediately after the recess period. Well, it is now April 17. We still have not passed a bill. In fact, the negotiations did break down yesterday, unfortunately. It seems clear that a bill will not be passed as of this week. Madam President, the clock, if not expired, is certainly ticking. It is the 11th hour and 59th minute.”