[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 14 (Thursday, February 1, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Page S728]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        GETTING A GOOD FARM BILL

  Mr. CONRAD. I conclude by saying I hope very much that we can finish 
the farm bill matter by Tuesday of next week. I would have hoped we 
could have gotten it done today. It was not possible. But it is better 
to wait a few days and get it right than pass a farm bill that greased 
the skids from under farm producers and eliminate a program for the 
future.
  That is precisely what this Chamber was faced with today, a plan to 
eliminate a farm program over time, a plan that would have guaranteed 
the elimination of farm programs because I believe there would have 
been a scandal when people discovered farmers were getting large 
Government payments even when they were having high income as a result 
of high prices that we are experiencing currently. The key is to have 
protection for farmers in low price years. That is when they need 
protection.
  I think it is critically important we reach an agreement that 
provides a safety net in low price years and that also recognizes many 
farmers are hard-pressed by cash-flow this year because of the 
requirement to pay back advance deficiencies from last year.
  I am hopeful we can achieve an agreement between the two sides that 
bridges those differences and achieves a settlement that is fair for 
American farmers, fair for the American taxpayers and that achieves a 
result that ensures we can pass farm legislation for the future.
  I likened earlier today the proposal we had to the Reverend Jim Jones 
when he handed out the Kool-Aid that was laced with poison. It tasted 
good going down. When people drank it, they were dead.
  Mr. President, there is no reason for us to take that kind of action. 
It is worth it to take a few extra days to get it right.
  I thank the Chair. I thank my colleague from the State of Iowa.
  Mr. GRASSLEY addressed the Chair.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Iowa.

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