Thomas Daschle: “First, let me commend the distinguished chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee for his work on this effort. He and…”

“First, let me commend the distinguished chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee for his work on this effort. He and I may not agree on the final product. We certainly may not agree on how we ought to enact farm policy in this country. But I have no disagreement with him in the manner with which he has conducted his responsibilities as chairman. He is an extraordinary leader and a Senator who has earned profound respect on both sides of the aisle. And his skill and diligence in shepherding this bill to the floor again demonstrates why he is held in such high esteem. I would like to draw attention tonight to how late in the season this bill is being considered. I hope that regardless of the outcome we would all agree that we should never allow legislation this important to be considered so late in a Congress. We are dealing with the 1995 farm bill in March of 1996. It is almost April. There is no excuse for that.”