Orrin Hatch: “I congratulate Senator Dole, Senator Lugar, Senator Leahy, and others for their tireless efforts in bringing us a farm…”

“I congratulate Senator Dole, Senator Lugar, Senator Leahy, and others for their tireless efforts in bringing us a farm bill. I know that they have overcome many obstacles, and that it has not been an easy task. I also understand that there is an urgency to pass this bill. It is important for all those in the business of providing food for America that we act to improve these programs. Overall, I support these improvements and will vote for this bill. I do object, however, to the provision added to the compromise version of S. 1541 that would give congressional approval to the Northeast Interstate Dairy Compact. This proposal was introduced and placed directly on the Senate calendar, bypassing the Judiciary Committee which has jurisdiction over interstate compacts. In other words, we are being asked to vote on this controversial compact without having had a hearing or a committee markup on the issue during this Congress. Although some changes and minor improvements were made to the proposal from the version that was debated in the 103d Congress, those changes have not altered the essential nature of this compact. It would still permit member States to set the price for fluid milk above the existing Federal order price, effectively setting up a dairy cartel. These member States would be protected from competition from other States.”