Arlen Specter: “once again, the principal reason I have sought recognition has been to comment on my ``no'' vote on the farm bill, which…”

“once again, the principal reason I have sought recognition has been to comment on my ``no'' vote on the farm bill, which was passed yesterday. Even though there are some parts of the farm bill which I liked, I have, on balance, decided to vote ``No'' because of the excessive cost which favors big corporate farmers and provides unreasonable subsidies to cotton, soybean, wheat, rice and corn. When I voted for the farm bill in the Senate, the cost was $73.5 billion over current spending for farm programs. However, the conference report came in at $82.8 billion for a total of approximately $190 billion total over 10 years which is, simply stated, far too expensive. The United States no longer enjoys a projected surplus of $5.6 trillion over the next 10 years. In fact, there is a deficit of $130 billion expected by the end of this fiscal year. Projecting the costs of this farm bill, it may be necessary to invade the Social Security trust fund, probably abandon plans for adequate prescription drugs for senior citizens and encroach on necessary appropriations for many priority items, including defense, education and health care.”