Political Quotes

“I believe S. 1541, the underlying legislation, which is the subject of discussion in the cloture motions today, presents a very important opportunity for the Senate to move forward in a bipartisan way to shape policy in behalf of our Nation's farmers and consumers. This modified freedom-to-farm legislation offers reform, opportunity, flexibility and predictability in a fiscally responsible way and with the growing support of Members on both sides of the aisle and, I would say most important, growing support from the people in America who are looking to the Congress to tell them what the Federal farm policy will be. All of us, as Senators, should understand that farmers need to know what the Federal policy will be. For better or worse, the Federal Government has been a very large part of decisions made by farmers in deciding what to plant, where to plant, and how to plant. We know that a new, long-term plan is far better than an extension of the current law. We know that if we do not move this legislation, the alternative is delay, confusion, frustration, continuation of current law, or perhaps even the reinstitution of long-outdated policies still on the books. We also should know, based on the discussions that have gone on here, that there is only one vehicle that has been under the light, has been scrutinized, has met the test, and can bring a legislative bipartisan consensus. Simply put, I find no constituency for continuing the status quo.”