Rod Grams: “Yesterday, as we were debating the best way to help our farmers overcome low prices in the Upper Midwest, the Minority…”

“Yesterday, as we were debating the best way to help our farmers overcome low prices in the Upper Midwest, the Minority Leader appropriately called the IMF 'the single best tool available to provide economic stability in Asia, Russia and around the world.' Unfortunately, he then went on to blame Republicans for opposition to IMF replenishment. As one who joined many of my Republican colleagues here in the Senate to actively promote the IMF replenishment and pass the full $18 billion here as part of the Supplemental, I would take issue with that statement. It was the Republican leadership in the Senate who worked with the Administration to pass the $18 billion along with a balanced reform package designed to make the IMF work more effectively. Yes, I have been disappointed that the House has still not acted on this matter. However, just yesterday, $3.4 billion was reported out of the Appropriations Committee's Foreign Operations Subcommittee, and there are positive statements that the full $18 billion may be included in the final Foreign Ops bill reported out of the full Committee next week.”