Debbie Stabenow

97 percent of our children can go to the doctor. That is a very big deal.

I am very hopeful we are going to be able to continue with a long-term extension in a bipartisan way

Last week, the FCC announced a controlled roll out of the National Verifier in six states to begin in December.

I want to commend Senator Cantwell and yourself, Mr. Chairman, for this important legislation.

We need to fix that process.

I first want to indicate my strong support for S. 548.

There is nothing to go further to use the buying power with Medicare to negotiate prescription drugs or to allow, with safe FDA approval, for people in Michigan to be able to drive across a bridge to Windsor and be able to get the very…

Will the distinguished Senator from Oregon allow me a question? This is a very, very important debate. On the point that my colleague just made, isn't it correct that there is nothing in any of these versions that lowers the cost of…

I think it is so important that we stress that we are not limping along year to year to year, that the fact that this is a five-year economic development strategy is very important.

I would like to ask each of you about how we continue to support beginning farmers, which we know is so important.

I think it is important to just ask each of you again if you still hold that position, if your organization still holds the position of no cuts in the farm bill.

We also greatly appreciate the efforts of Ranking Member Stabenow for urging all farmers to be considered when making significant changes to farm bill programs.

I do think it is important, though, to raise this in the context of comments that have been made

There is a broader discussion that Senator Thune raised that is an important discussion.

I am concerned that there are people, both in the Office of Management and Budget... supporting cuts to crop insurance.

We know the administration proposed major cuts that would have made it impossible to write a farm bill.

Despite the risks they face day to day, our producers persevere, through all odds, to grow food for our families, and drive our economy forward.

I have always said that agriculture is the riskiest business there is.

I am confident we are going to be able to come together and be able to do what our farmers and ranchers and families need, which is to pass another farm bill.

I just want to make the point that I know, personally, many farmers who have had, and still maintain great relationships with their buyers.

If we see those programs eliminated, programs like MAP, how will we ever get that introduction that will allow us to promote our much superior agricultural products into a market that would like to have much superior products?

We now have a farm bill title, which we did not have before 2008.

The strength of the U.S. agriculture sector is, in part, due to its diversity

The farm bill helps all farmers access new markets and new opportunities

We do not want to export our jobs, we sure want to export our products