Michael Bennet: “To quote Mr. Rogers: Never before in modern times has a farm bill reported from the House Agriculture Committee been so…”

“To quote Mr. Rogers: Never before in modern times has a farm bill reported from the House Agriculture Committee been so blocked. Never before in modern times. I suspect it is true in ancient times as well, but it has certainly been true in modern times. Rogers tells us that he ``looked back at 50 years of farm bills and found nothing like this.'' He continues: Farmers live by nature's calendar, not continuing resolutions. I could never have said it so eloquently myself. He also said: And by failing to act, Congress can seem even more detached from the real lives of everyday people. I would not have thought it was possible that this place could seem more detached from the everyday lives of the American people than it already appears to be. We found a way of doing that, and that is by failing to pass this bipartisan farm bill through the Congress in a timely way that is essential for people who are suffering through this kind of drought. I think Mr. Rogers' observation is exactly right, and I have been on this floor many times before saying the people at home in Colorado-- Republicans, Democrats, and Independents--don't identify with the cartoon of a conversation that we are having in Washington, DC, right now. I can't think of a clearer example than the failure to act on this bipartisan piece of legislation. This is legislation that would immediately help people all across our country, all across America, who are struggling today. Mr.…”