Dusty Johnson: “I come to the Chamber to make one final stand for my bipartisan amendment that restores fair competition and access in…”

“I come to the Chamber to make one final stand for my bipartisan amendment that restores fair competition and access in the livestock markets. Fifty-one Senators already voted for this provision which prevents meatpacker ownership of livestock. To clear up any question about the intent of our provision, Senators Grassley and Harkin have offered a second-degree amendment to the Craig language making it clear that forward contracts can be used as a marketing tool for both packers and producers under the underlying amendment that was passed with 51 votes earlier. The leading agricultural experts in the world have examined that legislation and have all concluded that, in fact, there is no prohibition on forward contracting on the underlying amendment. However, this issue has come up. There have been people who have raised issues. I think it is a red herring for those who simply do not want to roll back the right of packers to own livestock outright, but, nonetheless, this additional language is now being offered, and we will have this debate this morning and vote on this issue.”