Political Quotes

“I have to say to my colleagues, I support agriculture programs. I voted for every agriculture bill, and I believe it is very important for coalitions to be formed in this body between urban Members, who probably are only consuming agriculture product, and their rural counterparts, because it is an important part of the stream. But just as my colleagues on all sides of the aisle have demanded accountability from urban programs, I think it is fair that we demand the same accountability here. This amendment does not seek to end the program, simply to amend the program. I have to tell Members that I do not mind the fact that is a $465 million program. That, to me, is not offensive. What is offensive is the additional cost to the taxpayers that are hidden. The gentleman from Florida just talked about the $1.9 billion annually that consumers pay for this program. That is putting aside the $1.4 million a month to store the sugar that is purchased and then held in essentially escrow to be paid back against the debts as part of this program.”