Political Quotes

“Farmers are in fact, facing uncertainty and a potentially serious situation concerning purchase of crop insurance for 1996. Many believe they are not going to be required to buy it; others may believe that they are already covered when, in fact, they aren't because the automatic extension of their 1995 policy won't cover all the crops they may plant in 1996. For example, a farmer who planted cotton last year and corn this year is not covered under an extension of his old policy. And, because the closing date has or soon will pass, he will not be able to purchase insurance. I am pleased to report to the Senate that the conferees on the farm bill are aware of this issue. I hope my colleagues will work to see that this is addressed as part of the conference agreement on that bill by temporarily extending the purchase date for those producers who want to purchase insurance. We should not send a mixed message by allowing broad cropping flexibility, while remaining totally inflexible about insurance purchase dates for the 1996 crops.”