Political Quotes

“Senate amendment No. 2187 offered by Senator Kerry has now been voice voted onto the farm bill. It is unfortunate that this significant change of USDA policy occurred without a recorded vote. While it may sound innocuous to add commercial fishermen to the list of those eligible for USDA emergency farm loans, it is not without its negative implications. Support for commercial fishermen has typically been the responsibility of the Department of Commerce. Thus, USDA has little to no experience serving commercial fishermen. Additionally, funding for farm emergency loans is limited. Amendment No. 2187 would further dilute this limited pool of funding and divert it from its core mission--assisting our farmers and ranchers. While this amendment may have been voice voted, I would have voted nay on this amendment had there been a recorded vote. I hope this is an issue that we can revisit and rectify in conference committee. Amendment No. 2268 The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from South Carolina. Mr. DeMINT. Mr. President, I call up my amendment No. 2268. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report. The bill clerk read as follows: The Senator from South Carolina [Mr. DeMint] proposes an amendment numbered 2268. (Purpose: To prohibit the Secretary from making loan guarantees) At the appropriate place, insert the following: SEC. ____. PROHIBITION ON PROVISION OF LOAN GUARANTEES.…”