Tom Harkin: “let me first respond to my friend from Georgia and for the benefit of all Senators make it quite clear that if we have…”

“let me first respond to my friend from Georgia and for the benefit of all Senators make it quite clear that if we have cloture on the farm bill this morning, we will still be allowed to have up to 3 days, 3 full days of debate, 30 hours, and untold numbers of amendments. Every amendment that is relevant and germane to agriculture in the farm bill will be allowed to be offered and voted on. I wish to make that very clear. Now, if a Senator wants votes on immigration, well then put it on some other bill. If he wants to vote on taxes, put it on some other bill. If they want to vote on whatever else they might want to bring up that is important, put it on another bill. Let's do what is needed for our farmers and ranchers and rural America and get the farm bill passed. That is what this cloture vote will do this morning. Now, you know, we have a good, strong bipartisan bill. We came out of committee on a voice vote without one dissenting vote voiced--without one. We spent a day and a half--a record short time to my knowledge--in getting a farm bill through the committee.”