Political Quotes

“I thank the Senator. Again I truly appreciate the attention to this issue and look forward to working with you and USDA in the implementation of this legislation to support the important forest products industry which has been an integral part of the economy of this country for centuries. <bullet> Mr. McCAIN. Madam President, I would like to make a few remarks about the farm bill that's before the Senate this week. As my colleagues know, this is our second attempt in 2 years to pass a new 5-year farm bill. The Senate passed its version last Congress, which is essentially the same bill we are debating today. Last year, the House refused to consider the Senate bill with good reason. This bill is loaded with costly farm subsidies and hidden pet-projects. I believe most Americans would be angered to know how we are wasting their hard-earned tax dollars. Congress already plunged our Nation into $16 trillion worth of debt partially through farm bills like this. On average, Congress spends about $1 trillion more annually than the Federal budget allows. According to the Congressional Budget office, the budget deficit for fiscal year 2014 will be about $624 billion. This bill alone--all one- thousand pages--will cost nearly $1 trillion. That's almost $1 billion per page. We must reduce the size of the Federal Government and the farm bill is certainly ripe for cuts.…”