Political Quotes

“Madam President, I want to tell my colleagues about a disappointment I have in some U.S. Department of Agriculture recent revisions of a proposed rule. Here is the background: I have long fought to strengthen the safety net so that Iowa family farmers and other farmers are protected from natural disasters or other unforeseen events that they have no control over, like flooding or wind storms. Family farmers work hard to make sure that Americans have food on the table. These same family farmers operate on very thin margins. These farmers ought to qualify for help during tough times since losing these operations would risk our Nation's food supply. However, taxpayers and nonfarm State lawmakers may stop supporting a Federal farm safety net if spending programs aren't held accountable or left unchecked. Losing urban support for this farm safety net is why I am deeply concerned about the USDA's recent proposal to roll back rules that put teeth in the definition of a legal term called ``actively engaged in farming.'' Long-lost relatives, by changing these rules, who have probably never lifted a finger on the farm should not get away with collecting farm payments. Farm payments should only go to operators that--and I have a definition that is a little facetious but somewhat realistic--unless they have dirt under their fingernails. A few weeks ago, I recently complimented Secretary Perdue on what I thought were very strong rules that were being proposed at that time.…”