Robert Smith: “Mr. Chairman, unfortunately we have this exercise it seems every appropriation period where we attack the contract that…”

“Mr. Chairman, unfortunately we have this exercise it seems every appropriation period where we attack the contract that was entered into in 1996 between Members of Congress and farmers in America. This is another attack to violate the agreement reached when we said at that time, passing legislation at that time, that we would continue the subsidy program until 2002 where it would all end. Now farmers understand that process, the bankers that farmers do business with understand that process, and plans have been made for that purpose. Now to turn our backs, turn this Congress' back on the contract that was agreed to in 1996, is wrong. It should not happen, and it will not happen, and we will not let it happen. Now for all the tobacco and peanut farmers in the Northwest, I am asking my colleagues, and there are not any by the way, in the name of good sense and common sense and agreement I am asking my colleagues to vote down this amendment. The point is and was made, there are shellers, there are manufacturers, there are farmers. Everybody is coming at this from another angle. This is a no net cost to taxpayers. Vote down this amendment.”