Jim Inhofe: “Unfortunately, the collective livestock and grocery producers' concern continues. In fact, the earlier coalition has…”

“Unfortunately, the collective livestock and grocery producers' concern continues. In fact, the earlier coalition has grown to 18 industry representatives, including cattle, poultry, swine producers, Coca-Cola, Pepsi, even Cargill. In a letter to me, the coalition writes: We are asking Congress to provide those that utilize and rely on corn and corn products a reasonable amount of certainty that adequate supplies are available to all users of this commodity. We know right now the price of corn is very high. This obviously has--it does not happen in a vacuum. Too often on the Senate floor we believe things can be done without affecting others. In this case, it is definitely affecting others, as indicated by these communications. Now, with respect to our amendment, they state: Your amendment would go a long way in ensuring a safety net ensuring those of us that utilize corn and corn products will have enough to go around should a drought or flood occur that would limit the harvested amount that is available. Now, our amendment seeks to provide some of the much needed equity in the current system. This amendment simply requires that the USDA provide information on projected corn harvests each year. Well, they do that anyway. This is not going to incur anymore of a hardship on the USDA; they have that capability; they are already doing it. If the projected harvest is below a certain percentage, then the administrator has the authority to modify the mandate for the next year.”