Political Quotes

“Mr. President, last week, hundreds of farmers and ranchers, from all regions of our country, representing operations of all sizes and all the major crops, traveled to the Capitol to encourage us to pass a strong, farm-focused farm bill before the end of this year. I met with many of these individuals, and I am grateful they took the time away from their families and their farms and ranches to tell us what is at stake if Congress fails to pass a farm bill this year. For these farmers, this trip came with the additional stress of being away from the farm at the height of harvest season. Their visits clearly articulated the anxiety gripping farm country at this crucial moment. For the past few months, farmers, ranchers, the organizations that represent them, and the agricultural banking sector have all warned of an impending crisis in farm country. Producers are struggling to make ends meet in an environment where costs for farm inputs have ballooned from inflation; interest rates have doubled; and market prices are far below the cost production. Coupled with consecutive years of losses, the financial stress borne--particularly by our row crop farmers--is now being revealed. The reality is, there will be fewer farmers in 2025 if Congress does not respond. We have been warned that many farmers will struggle to secure operating loans for next year. This is a devastating realization. The outdated farm safety net they are operating under is doing nothing to address these realities.…”