Ron Kind

As American families and our economy continue to struggle, it is imperative that we give the Secretary of the Treasury the tools he needs to help put our economy back on track. With the improved accountability and transparency measures the…

I rise as one of the leaders of the new Democratic Coalition in strong support of this resolution. And I commend my two good friends from Tennessee and California for bringing this resolution before us and for the leadership that they have…

Mr. Speaker, we do need a farm bill. It's planting season throughout the country. The farm economy is crucial in regards to the health and well-being of our Nation. It's an integral part of the economic well-being of my home State in…

This is based on a 2-year rolling average of commodity prices rather than 5 years that the administration was proposing. But even 2 years ago, commodity prices were at or near record lows. What this means is that it will take very little…

Unfortunately, this farm bill falls short on that worthwhile goal. And unfortunately it's the American taxpayer who is currently facing increased costs of food and fuel that will be paying more over the next 5 to 6 or 7 years by the time…

I realize how difficult it is to put a farm bill together in this place, but this truly represents a missed opportunity. The so-called reforms that are being advocated under the commodity subsidy title would only affect, at best…

Mr. Speaker, it's planting season back home in Wisconsin. I still represent one of the largest agricultural producing districts in the entire Nation. Our farmers need a new farm bill. They need to know what the rules are that they have to…

I just want to point out a little bit of irony in what this motion would do. It's my understanding that by using the 2008 numbers, it would result in a lower baseline for the commodity subsidy programs by about $11 billion, which I don't…

Mr. Speaker, this is a very simple motion. I understand we are in the waning, perhaps minutes of conclusion of the farm bill. But, nevertheless, I think it's important that we get the policies right. We do need a farm bill. We need it as…

Mr. Speaker, I certainly appreciate the comments of my good friend from Oklahoma and the hard work that he has done. But these are two individuals who serve on the Agriculture Committee. In fact, my friend from Pennsylvania is the Chair of…

I truly do appreciate the hard work my colleagues here today on the Agriculture Committee have been doing to try to craft a farm bill that can get accomplished yet this year. It is one of the most difficult things that Members are asked to…

But, again, these direct payments are probably the least justifiable program going forward today in light of what the marketplace is producing. And the futures market right now is looking astounding when it comes to these commodity crops…

I have as much respect and admiration for my family farmers back home in Wisconsin, too. The gentleman from Arkansas is exactly right; these are hardworking individuals playing by the rules in a market that is set out for them. But when I…

Mr. Speaker, we need a farm bill, and we need it soon. Planting season is starting throughout the country, but I would hope that at the end of the process we get a good farm bill rather than a bad farm bill, one that recognizes current…

I want to thank and commend my good friend Mrs. McCarthy from New York for the wonderful leadership that she has shown in the reauthorization of this important legislation. I agree with my good friend and colleague from Connecticut that…

The superdelegate system smacks the average person as elitist and antidemocratic, and I don't think it belongs in our elective process. No person's vote should count more than anyone else's.

The super delegate system smacks the average person as elitist and antidemocratic, and I don't think it belongs in our elective process. No person's vote should count more than anyone else's.

I would hope that as this process moves forward, we can get together and have an honest discussion of what needs to be offset, what should be extended, and how we are going to provide tax relief to 23 million Americans who would otherwise…

I am honored to join Mr. Walz here today to offer this resolution expressing our concern and support to the victims of the flooding that ravaged our congressional districts and so many other States during those fateful days in August, but…

Mr. Speaker, last fall, my 8-year-old son Matt, while he was sleeping, fell off the top of his bunkbed, broke his clavicle. As Tawni and I were driving to the emergency room to get treatment to this kid in excruciating pain, I thought of…

During debate tonight on the Fairness in Farm and Food Policy Amendment to the farm bill I offered with my colleagues Mr. Flake, Mr. Blumenauer, Mr. Ryan, and others, a false claim was made regarding the budgetary impact of the amendment…

This farm bill is one of the most important pieces of legislation before this Congress in this session because it truly does affect us all. It affects our family farmers. It affects consumers in America. It affects our wildlife and natural…

just to give you an indication of how effective the current safety net is, it was recently discovered there was $1.1 billion in subsidy payments that went out to farmers who had already passed away.

Madam Chairman, change in this place is very difficult. In fact, sometimes the toughest thing to accomplish is changing the status quo. But the fundamental fact is that when you've got two-thirds of the subsidy program in this farm bill…

I rise, as a member of the Ways and Means Committee, in strong support of this 8-month extension of the Andean Trade Preference Act. It is the right thing to do at the right time, Mr. Speaker. There is no question...that our image has been…