Political Quotes

“Madam President, the Senate has had an opportunity to be given an update on the status of our negotiation on the farm bill. It is my pleasure to announce that since our first conference committee meeting in October, we have been working to reach an agreement on a new 5-year farm bill. This is a bill we can take to the House and Senate. By working in collaboration and through our differences, we made progress and established a framework for our agricultural sector to continue to contribute in an important way to the economic life of our Nation. I am pleased to say we are making progress, but there are still some decisions that lie ahead of us. I am hopeful that on both sides of the aisle, in both bodies, we can come together on a farm bill agreement that will reform and modernize programs and produce budget savings at the same time as well as provide certainty about the government's role to producers and consumers alike. I might also add that related to this is an interest many homeowners have in flood control insurance protection and government assistance. There is a reform bill, the Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act, that I am pleased to have cosponsored that would delay premium rates temporarily until we can review and make sure these changes are going to serve the interests of homeowners and landowners in areas that are threatened by natural disasters.…”