George Voinovich: “over the past 2 weeks, the Senate has engaged in what is probably a first in the history of this body: it has worked to…”

“over the past 2 weeks, the Senate has engaged in what is probably a first in the history of this body: it has worked to complete a task before a deadline. Even as appropriations bills remained unfinished 3 months into the fiscal year, we have, for the past couple of weeks, debated a farm bill a full 9 months before the current authorization lapses. As admirable as it is to work ahead of schedule, this has been an unnecessary exercise. There is no reason that the Senate has had to debate the farm bill when these programs don't expire until the end of the fiscal year. I joined in the successful effort here in the Senate to postpone debate on the farm bill until next year. It is my hope that we will do a better job at writing a bill that will address the needs of our farmers in a fiscally responsible way, rather than rushing a bill through Congress for the sake of passing a bill. The only reason we have debated this bill a year ahead of schedule is because some fear that the fiscal year 2003 budget resolution won't have enough room in it to load up whatever farm bill the Senate considers with all the spending the majority desires.”