Saxby Chambliss: “I rise to speak on S. 954, the legislation to reauthorize agricultural programs. As a former chairman and ranking member…”

“I rise to speak on S. 954, the legislation to reauthorize agricultural programs. As a former chairman and ranking member of the Agriculture Committee, I recognize how difficult it is to combine all the diverse interests into a single piece of legislation that meets the needs of all crops, all regions, and all rural and urban communities the farm bill impacts. I thank Chairwoman Stabenow and Ranking Member Cochran for the work they have done to craft a reform-minded bill that not only saves $24 billion with sequestration cuts included but also provides an effective safety net for farmers and ranchers all across the country to rely on in times of need. This bill embodies reforms, streamlining, and consolidation, and with the biggest issue facing our country today being our growing debt and deficit, I commend the members of the Agriculture Committee for stepping up and doing the work necessary to find savings. While we take these essential steps, we must also do it in an equitable and a fair manner. Agricultural producers face a combination of challenges such as unpredictable weather, variable input costs, and market volatility that all combine to determine profit or loss in any given year. The 2008 farm bill provided a strong safety net for producers, and successor legislation must adhere to and honor the same commitment we made 5 years ago.…”