Political Quotes

“My amendment would simply repeal the outdated and expensive dairy price support law enacted as part of the Agriculture Act of 1949. This provision created a commodity support policy for dairy production that, though suspended upon the enactment of each farm bill that has been reauthorized, it still remains on the books as permanent law. That this old law is still technically in effect is a problem for two reasons: First, the price support calculations essentially establish a ``floor'' for milk prices, which is set at twice the current market price. This means that the Federal Government would be required to step in and purchase surplus milk at double the current purchase price, which would drive up costs for taxpayers but would also result in a higher cost at the grocery store, potentially making a typical gallon of milk cost $7. This will hurt the most vulnerable in our society-- poor children and seniors on a limited income. This potential and likely unintended consequence is troubling, but more troubling is that this old law threatens to rear its ugly head every time the farm bill expires before it is reauthorized. In fact, we faced this very issue at the beginning of this year, though it was buried in the larger ``fiscal cliff'' deal that passed on January 1. Mr. Chairman, in this time of congressional gridlock, we've seen bailouts, failed stimulus bills, near-government shutdowns, and panic about sequestration and tax hikes.…”