Political Quotes

“I rise in strong opposition on behalf of the farmers who for years have made a contribution, and now they are asking for an opportunity for a way out to save their way of life. And I am embarrassed that people that have no farmers and do not understand the program are the ones who are in support of the amendment. Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to the Flake amendment. As I understand the gentleman's intention, he wants to prohibit USDA from implementing a tobacco program buyout if it is funded from taxpayer dollars out of the general fund. When tobacco members first began working on tobacco buyout legislation, our intention was for the tobacco companies to finance it. In fact, I along with Congressmen Fletcher, McIntyre and Goode, introduced a buyout bill last year, H.R. 3160, which would have funded a more generous $15 billion buyout paid for through user fees on the tobacco companies. The vast majority of tobacco state members endorsed that proposition by cosponsoring the bill. Buyout legislation pending in the other body would also have the companies pay for it. It has the support of every single tobacco state Senator, Republican and Democrat alike. But financing the buyout from current tobacco excise taxes was the only way the Republican leadership would support a buyout. Despite promises to the contrary, the Republican leadership never let H.R. 3160 see the light of day.”