Political Quotes

“I am pleased to say that I rise in support of H.R. 2559 and that it addresses most of the needs of my constituents in south Louisiana. Moreover, it is a tremendous improvement from the current program. As you know, Mr. Chairman, many of my farmers are rice producers. Most rice producers have traditionally not participated in the Federal crop insurance program because premiums have been viewed as too expensive relative to the minimal coverage the program offers. For example, during the 1998 crop year only 43 percent of the 3 million rice acres planted was covered by catastrophic (CAT) policies while another 20 percent of the acreage was covered by buy-up policies. The 20 percent level of participation in the buy-up option for rice is significantly lower than the 47 percent for wheat, 44 percent for corn and cotton and 37 percent for soybeans during the 1998 crop year.”