Ron Lewis: “over the past year, with all the talk about a global tobacco settlement, tobacco farm families are very worried about…”

“over the past year, with all the talk about a global tobacco settlement, tobacco farm families are very worried about their future. Mr. Speaker, I cannot predict at this point whether efforts to craft a settlement will be successful, but if and when the House addresses comprehensive tobacco legislation I will stand ready to ensure that our tobacco farmers are protected. I will stand, and I have listened carefully to my farmers and worked hard to formulate proposals that are fair and reflect their wishes. That may very well mean that we look for ways to provide a transition away from the current way of doing things, provided farmers are compensated in a fair and equitable way. In the meantime, though, we have a responsibility to ensure the continuation of the tobacco program that our farmers have relied on for so many years. Some have suggested that the taxpayer subsidizes the Federal tobacco program. I strongly disagree, because the budget deficit assessment paid by the tobacco growers and companies more than offsets the costs incurred by the USDA in the operation of the tobacco program, and we know what the tobacco taxes contribute to the coffers of the Federal Treasury. However, Mr. Speaker, to address these arguments I am introducing the Tobacco Program Administrative Reform Act of 1998.”