Byron Dorgan

Given the tough times facing rural America, funding for rural development programs are really critical.

I would call this budget more than 'constrained' and argue that it fails to meet the commitments that we made to the American people in the 2002 farm bill.

I hope that we will be able to work together to carry through on the promises made in the Farm Bill.

I have seen them get on airplanes for 20 years and move off. And frankly, you can put them all in a barrel and roll it down a hill, you are always going to have a lower on top.

The fact is they cannot, within 1 week, fail to lose a trade association.

But Madam Secretary, we already know they are not implemented properly. We already know that the Chinese are cheating.

The fact is an official in USTR, the week before he left, said publicly it is undeniable they are cheating.

We have been pushing on the Chinese for years. They now have a $103 billion trade surplus with us.

There is no opportunity in China if China will not buy our products.

When you look at trade with China, $103 billion and in virtually every single area, the promises were never kept.

The administration was reluctant to do that because the Chinese might be offended.

The evidence of unfair trade by the Chinese was 'undeniable' and that the Chinese themselves privately acknowledge that they are cheating on agricultural trade.

The Chinese decided that they would issue licenses for imports, but most all of the licenses, over 90 percent, were retained by the Chinese government.

So if the Chinese government decides it does not want American wheat, then it retains these licenses in the government and does not import the wheat.

Let me tell you why I asked the question.

I was interested in the questions Senator Byrd has been asking.

Suggesting the President will veto a $6 billion disaster package while at the same time pushing for billions of dollars in tax cuts for the very wealthy is irresponsible policy and sends the wrong message to hard working farmers and…

I am very disappointed about the signals that USDA and others have been sending regarding COL.

It is simply unrealistic to expect producers to recover from the losses they have endured without any real, comprehensive assistance.

I am disappointed with the lack of seriousness the Administration has taken with respect to the ongoing drought and its effect on producers across the country.

I will have a commitment from you to release the $250 million for LAP in the very immediate future.

I would call this budget more than 'constrained' and argue that it fails to meet the commitments that we made to the American people in the 2002 farm bill.

I echo his comments and say that we miss Reverend Ogilvie and his wife, and we grieve for her passing.

Let me just say cogent policy.

A well thought out policy.