[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 153 (Thursday, September 28, 1995)]
[House]
[Pages H9652-H9653]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              THE FIGHT FOR A FAIR DEAL FOR FARM PRODUCERS

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Bunn of Oregon). Under a previous order 
of the House, the gentleman from Georgia [Mr. Bishop] is recognized for 
5 minutes.
  Mr. BISHOP. Mr. Speaker, when jurisdiction over farm commodity 
programs is transferred from the Agriculture Committee to the Budget 
and Rules Committees, it is an unprecedented attempt by the Republican 
leadership in this body to stifle the influence of Members who 
represent the interests of our farmers.
  It is an abuse of power.
  It is a slap in the face of America's farmers.
  It should outrage everyone who is concerned about the future of rural 
communities.
  There is one thing you can say about this development: It may be an 
abuse of power, and it is bipartisan abuse. It not only seeks to shut 
out the voice of 

[[Page H 9653]]
Democrats on the Agriculture Committee, like myself, it shuts out the 
voices of Republican Members who also oppose radical changes that would 
effectively destroy critically needed commodity programs.
  Reforms are needed. We need to cut the costs of these programs. We 
need to make them more market oriented. Farmers understand this.
  The area of Georgia I represent grows more peanuts than any place in 
the world. My colleague from the neighboring Eighth District and I have 
introduced a new peanut program that eliminates Government costs. It 
represents dramatic change. But, evidently, this is not enough. The 
majority leadership will evidently not be satisfied until commodity 
programs that give our farmers a more level playing field in the world 
marketplace are destroyed.
  Members of the Agriculture committee represent agricultural areas. 
They have special expertise in the needs of farmers and agribusiness. 
Just like other committees dealing with other areas of the economy, 
they have always had a key role to play in shaping farm policy.
  That role is now under attack.
  Mr. Speaker, we will not be silenced.
  Members who represent farm-belt areas will continue the fight for a 
fair deal for the country's farm producers.

                          ____________________