Political Quotes

“Right now, the wheat producers of Washington State are facing wheat prices that are below the cost of production. This means that they can either choose to sell for a loss or store their wheat in hopes that prices will return to a higher level. Many of these growers have been waiting around for months for the price to climb. It has not. Now is the time to act. Unfortunately, with the test of the nuclear weapons by both India and Pakistan, the Arms Control Act Mandates certain economic sanctions. Mr. Speaker, let me be clear, I wholeheartedly condemn the escalation of the arms race between India and Pakistan. I do not believe the way to send a message is to unilaterally cut off trade of our producers. That is precisely what will happen if we do not pass this bill before us today. It is important to note that Pakistan is a number one foreign purchaser of wheat from the northwest, over 35 percent. Without the guarantees that are offered by the credits, the Department of Agriculture, Pakistan will purchase billions of dollars of wheat from other countries such as Australia and Canada.”