Amy Klobuchar: “I am here to address my amendment, No. 3810, and I want to talk about the importance of reform to this farm bill. I was…”

“I am here to address my amendment, No. 3810, and I want to talk about the importance of reform to this farm bill. I was disappointed today when the amendment of Senator Dorgan and Senator Grassley was defeated. It was a very important amendment. In other years, we actually had enough votes for this amendment, before I was here, but we weren't able to muster the votes necessary to block the filibuster. Well, we have one more opportunity, and that opportunity is this afternoon. America's farm safety net was created during the Great Depression as an essential reform to help support rural communities and protect struggling family farms from the financial shocks of volatile weather and volatile prices. I believe after 75 years, the reasons for that safety net still exist, and I believe the farm bill that came through our committee has some very good things in it. It is forward thinking; it is about cellulosic ethanol. It is about finally having some permanent disaster relief. It is about a strong safety net for America's farmers. But there is one thing missing from this farm bill, Madam President, and that is the kind of reform that we need to move forward.”