[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 118 (Thursday, July 20, 1995)]
[House]
[Page H7262]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               DURBIN HARASS-THE-TOBACCO-FARMER AMENDMENT

  (Mr. CHAMBLISS asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. CHAMBLISS. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to oppose what I 
call the Durbin harass-the-tobacco-farmer amendment to the Agriculture 
appropriations bill. Having lived in Georgia's farm belt all my adult 
life, I understand farm programs. Representing the 10th largest tobacco 
producing district in the country, I understand the importance of the 
tobacco program to family farmers in my State and across this country.
  Now there is a big difference between improving farm programs and 
harassing farm families. The Durbin amendment is clearly downright 
harassment of tobacco farm families.
  It does not improve the program, it strangles the farmers who 
participate. For example, if the Durbin amendment passes, the farmer 
would not have information on the safest use of chemicals and he would 
not benefit from his required participation in the crop insurance 
program.
  But the Durbin amendment goes farther. In fact, it would not just 
affect the farmer, it would affect us all. This provision has the 
potential to prevent a buy-out of the program which could cost the 
taxpayers of this country an unbelievable $1 billion.
  If you do not want to throw a blindsided knockout punch to family 
farmers and to rural districts of America then I urge you to vote 
``no'' on the Durbin amendment.


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