Political Quotes

“the fate of hundreds of sugar beet farmers that I represent and hundreds of millions of workers that I represent turn on this debate. But it is not their interests I want to talk to Members about. I want to talk to Members about our balance of trade problem as the United States of America. We import more than we export to the tune of $32 billion in 1992, $73 billion in 1993, $110 billion in 1994, and $114 billion last year. Sugar is one ag commodity where domestic consumption is greater than our production. Why in the world would we want to blow up a domestic program, which this amendment would do, which would destroy domestic production and make us import more sugar than is presently the case? The only thing favorable in our balance of trade is essentially agriculture and airplanes. Foreign countries must look at us like we are crazy. We look at something that contributes so positively to our balance of trade and we want to threaten it in the way this amendment does tonight. I urge Members to vote no.”