Political Quotes

“Democrats and the tea party-driven Republicans differ on many things, so it is remarkable and encouraging to see how well Senator Stabenow and Senator Cochran, the chairman and ranking member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, worked as a team to bring the ag jobs bill to the floor. Their work has been exemplary, some would say old-fashioned--the way things used to be. The committee members included many of the amendments that were adopted last year when the Senate considered and passed a farm bill. As we will remember, it went to the House, and of course they did nothing. The committee did this in an effort to expedite the floor process which begins today. I hope their cooperative spirit guides our work on this important legislation. American farmers are counting on us, but so is the economy. Despite uncertain economic times, America's farms and ranches are the most productive in the world, exporting about $150 billion worth of products last year and supporting 16 million private sector jobs. But to keep American farms strong, Congress must pass a strong farm bill. The legislation before this body will create jobs, cut taxpayer subsidies, and reduce the deficit. The bill includes important reforms to farm and food stamp programs and saves more than $23 billion, which we will use to reduce the deficit. It will give farmers the certainty they need to maintain the largest trade surplus in any sector of our economy.…”