Max Baucus: “I rise today to share my dissappointment about the farm bill with you. It is vital that we get a strong bill passed…”

“I rise today to share my dissappointment about the farm bill with you. It is vital that we get a strong bill passed before we adjourn this year and, unfortunately, that isn't going to happen. To put it simply: Our farmers and ranchers deserve more from their representatives. As long as I have been in the Senate, I have never seen the agricultural community more united than they were yesterday in invoking cloture and getting the Senate farm bill passed the floor this year. The farm bill we passed out of committee is a good bill. It is not a great bill. But it's a good step in the right direction. We had the opportunity to work together to make this bill as comprehensive, full of common sense, and strong as possible. My sleeves were rolled up and I was dedicated to passing the farm bill this year. And I'm still dedicated to passing a bill when we get back next month. We need to support our Nation's agricultural producers. Now. We can't wait until the current bill expires. We rely on our producers for a safe and affordable food supply. Now they are relying on us for survival. Our agricultural producers are suffering. Years of low prices and drought have made it nearly impossible for farmers and ranchers to break even. Low prices and drought have been disastrous not only to agricultural producers, but also to the surrounding rural communities. When producers are hurting, they can't invest in our economy. Agriculture is the backbone of Montana's economy.…”