Tom Harkin: “Quite frankly, I find myself in a very uncomfortable position. This is extremely uncomfortable for me. I think the…”

“Quite frankly, I find myself in a very uncomfortable position. This is extremely uncomfortable for me. I think the pending amendments are the ultimate statement on the failure of the current farm policy. Why do I say it is uncomfortable for me? Because I don't like it when farmers have to rely on government payments because they are not getting enough from the marketplace. I am uncomfortable with an amendment that provides above $10 billion in support for our farmers. I find myself extremely uncomfortable. That is why I view what we are doing here as part of a two-step process. First, we must get the emergency money; but second, we have to change the underlying failures of the Freedom to Farm bill or we will be right back where we are again next year, asking for billions more in emergency payments to deal with the crisis in the farm economy. Our farm policy now is based on cash payments. Now we are back here talking about even more cash payments. We are forced into this situation because the underlying farm policy is wrong. And that is how the Republicans' proposal is shaped. It is a stopgap gesture based on AMTA payments. So naturally, the larger farmers with the larger base acreages are going to get the most money. This policy goes against what government programs ought to be. Government programs ought to be for those who are in need. This amendment stands that principle on its head.”