Tom Harkin: “I want to mention how greatly concerned I am that Congress appears to be set to go into recess for a month while the…”

“I want to mention how greatly concerned I am that Congress appears to be set to go into recess for a month while the details of the 1996 farm program remain unresolved. Farmers have been waiting for a long time to know what the program will be for this year. They need to be able to make plans to line up seed, fertilizer, chemicals, and credit. As we all know, and as I know the occupant of the Chair knows from representing his State and the farmers in his State, farming is a very capital-intensive business. Farmers need to know what type of Federal policy they are operating under so they know what they need in terms of capital in order to arrange the credit for this year's expenses. Second, the farm bill is not just for farmers, it is for everyone. It is for our consumers as well as our farmers. It is for exports. It is for the whole infrastructure of processing, making and distributing our food products in this country. The fact that we do not have a farm bill has broad ramifications.”