Angie Craig: “I think the Senator and I speak to the same concern, but there is one thing that has gone on this year that it is…”

“I think the Senator and I speak to the same concern, but there is one thing that has gone on this year that it is important the record reflect--the very extensive hearings, well over 6 months of hearings now on every title of the farm bill. But because we were in a uniquely different situation, and that is we had to deal with the cost and the cost impacts of farm policy, we brought those provisions of what would be a new farm bill to the floor in the budget reconciliation to gain those kinds of savings, to gain the $15 billion in savings that was necessary. What the Senator proposes in this extension under the current law would also wreak some peril. There is no question about it. Farmers are being required to repay nearly $2 billion in 1995 advanced deficiency payments, and I think only in the freedom to farm package do we resolve that issue.”