William R. Richardson: “I urge a no vote on the reform programs in the bill. The peanut program contained in this bill reforms the program as we…”

“I urge a no vote on the reform programs in the bill. The peanut program contained in this bill reforms the program as we now know it so that it keeps generating thousands of jobs in America and providing a quality, steady supply of peanuts at no cost to the American taxpayer. I am all for rooting programs out of Government that are ineffective and costly. However, the peanut program proposed in this bill will not cost the American taxpayer $1 and will continue to put 15,000 Americans to work. That does not sound like an inefficient or expensive program to me. Let me tell you about the peanut farmers I represent in New Mexico. They work hard everyday to produce a high-quality, nutritious crop. Their hard work produces one-third of the total revenue in their county. Last year, these peanut farmers were asked to make some changes in the program because we are all concerned about deficit reduction. The peanut growers made those changes because they are concerned about the future of this country too. As an advocate of free trade let me tell you what this amendment means. This amendment means we are putting our own farmers at a disadvantage. By voting for this amendment you are saying that peanut farmers in Argentina and China are more important to you than our American farmers. Mr. Chairman, this amendment would kill a program that is cost-neutral to our country's economy. Vote ``no'' on this amendment.”