Norvell Emerson: “I wish to rise in strong opposition to the Miller-Schumer amendment. If adopted, this amendment would damage the sugar…”

“I wish to rise in strong opposition to the Miller-Schumer amendment. If adopted, this amendment would damage the sugar industry more than if the sugar program were eliminated altogether. It would eliminate all sugar price supports, mandate a drop in domestic producer prices, and increase taxes on cane and beet sugar, which would force American sugarcane and sugarbeet producers out of business and leave countless numbers of American sugar workers jobless. I urge my colleagues today to not be sweet talked into dismantling a program that has helped sugar producers compete in an international market for several years now. The present support level has also provided the opportunity for American corn growers to compete for a share in the sweetener industry, further benefiting the American consumer looking for an ample supply of sugar at a reasonable price. Moreover, those who say the American consumer will benefit from a price support reduction are giving us the sweetest talk of all. Will sweetener users really cut the price of their retail goods if the support price for sugar were to drop? I think we all know that answer. I urge my colleagues to maintain the current reforms as amended in this bill and not cripple our Nation's corn and sugar growers ability to compete.”