Political Quotes

“I don't think I have ever opposed a farm bill, not because I represent a vast farm district--I don't. But I understand that food and fiber is critical for my people, for our Nation, indeed, for much of the world. So, ladies and gentlemen, let us reject this flawed process, this process which abrogates the pledge of 3 days of consideration for legislation, last night published, and we are asked to vote on it today. Why? Because this is a very controversial provision, and they didn't want to have the light of day shine too long on this flawed process. Let us reject this bill, let us reject a partisan bill, let us speak out for the farm community of America, and, yes, those who need nutritional help. Let us also speak for job growth in rural America, which the bill that the chairman reported out would have helped. This bill ought to be rejected, and we ought to do our duty and our responsibility in a responsible and effective democratic, bipartisan, cooperative way. I congratulate the chairman for what he would like to do. Mr. Speaker, this bill is a disgraceful abandonment of the most vulnerable people in our country. The legislation Republicans have chosen to introduce--with just hours' notice and in blatant violation of their own stated `three-day' policy to read the bill--is missing a major part of any responsible farm bill. By leaving funding for the supplemental nutrition assistance program--or ``SNAP''--out of this bill, they are effectively killing that program.…”