Political Quotes

“I will tell you how I go through looking at the farm bill. I believe farmers ought to farm. I don't believe they ought to farm the government. I think you all, over the last few years, have done a good job changing that scenario. I believe food security is an important part of what America can do for both our country and our world. I also know our farmers are some of our hardest working people. Having said all of that, there are a ton of programs in here that do not directly benefit food security in this country or the American public. When we still have the well-heeled, well-connected in this country taking advantage of farm programs, from pro athletes to everything else, who use the farm program as a method, as a tax hedge, and use the supplemental systems, by eliminating direct payments, you have done a great deal. I am all for crop insurance. I think it ought to be a little more costly and spread around. I think crop insurance in terms of the commissions paid to the people who sell it are a little too rich. There are a lot of people who would like to have that book of business for a whole lot less money. We have not done that. It will be a balance to me as I look at improvements. I congratulate the chairman and ranking member for making progress on the farm bill. We have a long way to go.…”