Agricultural and Food Policy
 Agri Outlook
Radio
Number 95
Policy/Noteworthy: Part 2 - Select Opening Statement Points by Senator Harkin and Senator Chambliss During the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition & Forestry Farm Bill Markup Business Meeting on October 24, 2007 (3:30 minutes)
Audio/Video Script:
Dr. Bobby Coats
Extension Economist
University of Arkansas, Division of Agriculture
The following are some key points made by U.S. Senator Saxby Chambliss (R-Ga.),
Ranking Republican Member of the Senate Agriculture Committee as opening
statements during the Senate Agriculture Committee Farm Bill Markup meeting on
October 24, 2007. I’m Bobby Coats Extension Economist University of Arkansas
Division of Agriculture.
The following key points give an overview of the challenges, complexities and
compromise needed to write a farm bill. Senator Saxby Chambliss (R-Ga.), Ranking
Republican Member of the Senate Agriculture Committee said,
“America has a very diverse agricultural landscape. Whether it’s peanut
farms in Georgia, asparagus farms in Michigan, or growing energy crops in South
Dakota, we all have parochial interests and every part of the
farm bill has a large impact on agribusiness and the U.S. economy as a whole.
Keeping that in mind, we must ensure that the farm bill provides balance among
all involved in order to pass new legislation. I will admit that there are
some provisions in this bill that I typically would not support if they stood
alone. But, I am committed to getting a strong, bipartisan farm bill
passed out of the Committee and passed in the Senate. I support this
legislative package that has been carefully negotiated and deliberated.”
“As we are all aware, the tight budget situation is the primary reason for
the delay in getting a new law written. The fact we are here today with no
additional money above our baseline is a testament to the hard work put in by
the Members and staffs to compromise and strike a delicate balance between all
the titles in the bill. Do I wish we had more resources? Yes.
But we find ourselves in a very different situation compared to the last time
the Congress passed a farm bill. It is ironic that the strong prices we
are experiencing today in farm country would make our jobs more difficult in
drafting a new law.”
“The offsets and tax funding provisions passed out of the Finance Committee
are helping to free-up over $3 billion that otherwise would not have been
available to honor many of your requests. I believe Senators Baucus and
Grassley put together a balanced package that compliments the bill before us and
strengthens the farm safety net for farmers and ranchers. Our intention is
to marry-up the farm bill and the Finance Committee funds into a total package
on the Senate floor.”
“Ultimately, I hope to see the Senate pass a new farm bill that does not require
raising taxes to fund new spending, does not disregard existing trade
agreements, and protects the safety net of American farmers and ranchers, which
are the backbone of this country. Senator Chambliss concludes with what I
consider and important point. Senator Chambliss says, Let us remember, that at the end of day, the
reason we are here is to represent the hard working men and women who get dirt
under their fingernails each and every day to provide the highest quality
agricultural products in the world.”
This has been Bobby Coats Extension Economist University of Arkansas Division
of Agriculture.
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