Political Quotes

“Mr. President, this is a very interesting bill on the floor. It is really three bills. It is the Agriculture appropriations, Commerce-Justice-Science, and the Transportation-Housing bill. Our colleague, Senator Herb Kohl of Wisconsin, spent a good part of yesterday managing the bill. He chairs the agriculture subcommittee. I am doing it today. Senator Kohl is tied up on other matters. He is adamant in his opposition to the Moran amendment providing $8 million for the Watershed Rehabilitation Program. While he is not opposed to the Watershed Rehabilitation Program, he wanted to make it clear that we had to make very difficult decisions. He does not support Senator Moran's amendment as it would offset funding in the departmental administration providing numerous essential services to USDA. These cuts would force USDA to impose a reduction in force and would have a detrimental effect on the Department and its operation. USDA has initiated buyouts to several thousand employees across many agricultural agencies. The level for the Department administration is over $13 million and $7 million below the request. Secretary Vilsack has reached out to the agricultural subcommittee and has concerns with overall staff reductions at the Department. Senator Kohl echoes Secretary Vilsack's concern. Senator Kohl opposes this amendment, and on his behalf, I urge other Senators to oppose it as well.…”