Political Quotes

“Madam Chairman, I thank Mr. Goodlatte for all of his time and hard work on this legislation, as well as the members of the committee who traveled to Washington State for a farm bill listening session last year. I rise today to highlight the need for a strong farm policy that will ensure the success of farmers in eastern Washington and across the Nation. Agriculture is the number one employer in Washington State, and in eastern Washington, a $1.1 billion industry. I support a farm bill that makes a strong commitment to specialty crops by investing in nutrition, research, pest management, and trade promotion programs. Whitman County is the leading producer of wheat and barley in the United States. The 2002 farm bill changed how marketing loan rates were calculated for wheat, and as a result, our wheat growers have been left out of the intended safety net. Although I believe to ensure fairness we should calculate counter-cyclical payments by class of wheat, I am encouraged that growers will have the option to choose a revenue-based payment. I am disappointed dried peas and lentils were not placed on equal ground, but we can work on that later. I am committed to working for policies that will help our farmers and ranchers compete. However, I am disappointed that this bill will raise taxes on companies.”