[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 147 (Wednesday, September 20, 1995)]
[House]
[Pages H9253-H9254]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   REPEAL OF GOVERNMENT SUGAR PROGRAM

  (Mr. DAVIS asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. DAVIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to discuss the repeal of the 
Government sugar program. There is no plausible reason why our 
Government is involved with setting and controlling the price of sugar. 
It is Big Government at its worst. It is a sweet deal for a wealthy 
few. It promotes the destruction of one of our prized environmental 
landmarks--the Florida Everglades.

[[Page H 9254]]

  Because of this program, every citizen pays a hidden tax that takes 
money out of the pockets of American consumers to the tune of more than 
$1.4 billion every year in higher food prices, according to GAO. This 
hidden tax has cost Americans more than $10 billion over the last 
decade. In addition, the consumer interest group Public Voice has 
recently estimated that the sugar program has cost the Federal 
Government $110 million annually because of higher purchase prices for 
sugar and sugar containing products used in domestic feeding and food 
programs. This is money that my constituents could be saving, 
investing, or using to buy needed items for their families and 
children. But because of this program, they must pay higher prices on 
everything containing sugar--all because of the Federal Government 
interfering in the marketplace.
  This fall the House will be debating a new farm bill. We will also be 
debating the budget reconciliation bill that will balance the Federal 
budget in 7 years, which will force substantial cuts in farm commodity 
programs such as wheat, dairy, corn, cotton, and rice. While these 
programs have faced cuts on average of 40 percent since 1985, sugar has 
not been cut one iota. This is simply unacceptable.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote for repeal of this program.

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