Asa Hutchinson: “I thank the majority leader, the majority whip, and Senator Harkin for their cooperation and their willingness to allow…”

“I thank the majority leader, the majority whip, and Senator Harkin for their cooperation and their willingness to allow us to have this debate on, essentially, the House-passed bill. This is the bill that was introduced earlier this year in an effort to break the logjam on a farm bill. It is a bipartisan bill, as it was introduced with four Democrats and three Republicans. To me, there is no doubt, as we come to this impasse, that the only way--absolutely the only way--we will get a farm bill signed into law this year is for us to take up an easily conferenceable bill with the House. I have talked with the chairman of the House Agriculture Committee. If we would pass this bill--this amendment, and then the amended bill--we would be able to conference it within an hour, and we would be able to send it to the President. That is the only prospect we have of getting a much needed farm bill to the President this year. That is why I rise to urge my colleagues to move forward and support this amendment.”