Political Quotes

“Mr. Chairman, the family farmers that work in their fields in the Red River Valley that I represent must be watching this debate with utter amazement. After all, U.S. sugar prices are 32 percent below developed countries. U.S. retail prices are the third lowest in the developed world. U.S. spending on sugar is the lowest in the world per capita. Last year we reformed the sugar program, addressing many of the concerns raised by the opponents. We gave them a straight up-or-down vote on whether this program should be continued. Now all North Dakota farmers, like farmers everywhere, ask for is that this body maintain the commitment made in last year's farm bill that there will be some price safety net on this product as they deal with the vagaries of weather and other external circumstances that make farming such a high-risk, low-profit business. Do not pull the rug out on America's farmers. This country has a good deal with the sugar program. It should be continued.”