Political Quotes

“I think he did a great job and he reestablished a great deal of Democratic principles into the policy that we have, particularly research and conservation and environmental as well as others in regard to it. I would briefly like to mention the peanut program. In my judgment the peanut program reform went far too far. According to studies that were made by Auburn University, the final version of the peanut program being voted on today will result in a 28-percent loss of income to the peanut farmer. While other commodity producers are receiving transition payments, the peanut producer is seeing nearly a one-third reduction in his income. In my judgment, the degree to which the program was reformed was unnecessary and punitive. Mr. President, as I am looking at this farm bill, this will be the last farm bill that I will participate in, since I am retiring at the end of the year. I have long been a supporter of the American farmer. My commitment to agricultural producers has been constant throughout my career. I am concerned that the bill before us today does not provide the kind of safety net that I would prefer to see and leave as a legacy for future generations of farmers. I hope that in the future, Congress will not turn its back on American farmers in the event that commodity prices fall and farmers are left without any price protection.”