Dick Lugar: “I hope Senators will support my amendment and vote no against the tabling motion. I ask them to do this because I…”

“I hope Senators will support my amendment and vote no against the tabling motion. I ask them to do this because I believe it is the only way in which farmers are going to receive any money. If we adopt the House language, we do not have a conference, and that is very important, because in a conference with the House, other items could arise that are of concern to Senators. As it is, we know the parameters of the bill as we see them. Adoption by the Senate of the House language means we have no conference, the President signs the bill, and the money goes to the farmers. We have received from the CBO assurance that this bill must be successfully conferenced and passed by the Senate and the House before we recess, and the President must sign it in the month of August or there will be no checks. None. Senators need to know that. The fact is, we have a difference of opinion. But the specialty crops are cared for by the House bill. The AMTA payments are cared for--not in the quantity that persons in either of these categories wish to achieve but this is emergency spending. It is our one opportunity to do it. I am hopeful, in a bipartisan way, we will reject tabling; we will pass the amendment; we will go to the President, united with the House; and we will get the money to the farmers.”