Political Quotes

“My grave concern about the Cochran amendment is so many of our farmers--particularly family farmers--have been left out of this amendment. People such as Fred Tubbs have--with operating costs whether or not they have a crop. We have two choices in front of us: The Daschle amendment and the Cochran amendment. The Cochran amendment is not a disaster package. That is very clear. There are farmers who did not have a disaster and may have had a bumper crop who will be helped under this amendment. States that have seen devastation in crops such as soy beans would be helped under this provision. But grape growers, apple growers, cherry growers, asparagus, peaches, plums--all of those fruit and vegetable growers who have been devastated in my State would not receive assistance under this plan. There is a small provision in the Cochran amendment that would provide $100 million set aside for fruits and vegetables. I will just share with my colleagues that in Michigan alone the fruit and vegetable losses are $180 million.”