Robert Smith: “I rise in support of H.R. 4328, the omnibus appropriations conference report. This will be our last chance to provide…”

“I rise in support of H.R. 4328, the omnibus appropriations conference report. This will be our last chance to provide the temporary crop and market loss assistance that our farmers need so desperately at this time. It is also an opportunity to make much needed changes to tax policy that will help producers remain competitive in the long term. As I am sure you know, farm country is suffering this year. The conference agreement contains the provisions H.R. 4618, the Agriculture Disaster and Market Loss Assistance Act of 1998, which is critically needed at this time. The upper Midwest is suffering as a result of devastating multi-year disease problems in their wheat crop. On top of that, their farmers and ranchers have been severely injured by flood and blizzard in recent seasons. A dramatic drop in commodity prices for wheat, corn, livestock and other commodities have created tremendous economic pressure in farm country. The price drops are a result of circumstances beyond farmers and ranchers control. These circumstances include economic dislocation such as the economic crisis in Asia and Russia and our own nation's unilateral trade sanctions. Farmers also suffer from a failure of the government to pursue trade opportunities aggressively.”