Political Quotes

“Mr. Chairman, I do not have a great deal to add on the importance of preserving what I believe will turn out to be on the final vote on this bill a continuation of the very strong urban-rural coalition that exists in this House. I and many of my colleagues are going to be supporting the agriculture bill with enthusiasm. We recognize the matrix that exists between farm programs that are miles away from our communities and the importance that they play to our economies and our communities. All of that being said, it should never be a substitute for us making wise decisions about what programs work and what programs do not work. In 1993, this body took several steps to reduce the size of government to make thing more efficient. In 1993, after years of being hammered on television shows which were frequently unfair about a fleecing of America, we finally decided to see what we could do about ending this program. The program ended; and, unfortunately, there continued to be a decline in the production of wool and mohair in this country. That decline slowed, and since then we have had an increase in mohair prices. There has been an 88 percent increase since 1995, yet we continue the subsidy. The subsidy for mohair is 40 cents, as opposed to a 20-cent subsidy for wool, despite the fact that we say we are trying to help the family farmer. Many more people are producing wool.”