Max Baucus: “this is an important day. Today we are finally bringing to bear over eighteen months of hard work toward reforming the…”

“this is an important day. Today we are finally bringing to bear over eighteen months of hard work toward reforming the Federal Crop Insurance Program. This is an issue of vital importance to Montana. First, however, I urge my colleagues in the Senate to join me in applauding Senators Roberts and Kerrey for their hard work in bringing a comprehensive solution to the table as well as Chairman Lugar for helping us work quickly to pass this important legislation. We can all be proud of a job well done. The bill before you today, the Risk Management for the Twenty First Century Act, is a fine example of what can be done when we work on a bipartisan basis to solve a difficult problem. I am pleased that Montana producers and crop insurance providers also contributed largely to this effort. Last spring, I held a crop insurance community hearing in Shelby, MT. Ken Ackerman, director of the Risk Management Agency, flew out for that hearing and got quite an earful. Montana farmers told us they wanted a program they could count on. A risk management tool that would be more efficient, more cost effective, more responsible, and more accountable. A program that encourages farmers to try new and innovative crops. And a reliable system that moves us away from the annual ad hoc disaster band-aids. I would like to extend a personal thank you to Ken Ackerman and his agency for listening to our concerns and helping draft them into this legislation.”