Pete Domenici: “I understand it is the majority's prerogative to fill the amendment tree, and it has been done by leaders of both…”

“I understand it is the majority's prerogative to fill the amendment tree, and it has been done by leaders of both parties in the past. However, I wanted to go on record about the potential serious danger of this process. Earlier, the majority leader stated that only amendments that are relevant to the farm bill will be allowed to be offered and voted on. Well, I cannot think of any amendment more relevant to the economic security of the American farmer than an amendment to increase the renewable fuel standard. I am very hopeful the amendment will meet the test the leader has made for amendments. I don't know yet whether it will, but I think before I am finished and before other speakers are heard, it should be quite obvious that there is no amendment that could be offered that is more important to rural America and the farmers than this one.”