Byron Dorgan: “Mr. President this is the simplest possible amendment. If you believe payments ought to go to farmers for the purpose of…”

“Mr. President this is the simplest possible amendment. If you believe payments ought to go to farmers for the purpose of not farming, then you want to defeat this amendment. If you believe this is a farm bill to help farmers who are farming, then you should support it. If you do not want to be making payments to people who simply have some land and a bank account, and do not start a tractor, do not use a combine, and do not plant anything, then you should be for my amendment. This is not about controls or flexibility. It is a question whether you want a farm program that is going to pay farmers for not farming. I want a farm program that is a good program and that helps farmers who are actually farming the land. If you believe in that, then support this amendment. I yield the floor.”