[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 40 (Wednesday, April 1, 1998)]
[House]
[Page H2034]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   INTRODUCING THE TOBACCO PROGRAM ADMINISTRATIVE REFORM ACT OF 1998

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Kentucky (Mr. Lewis) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. LEWIS of Kentucky. Mr. Speaker, over the past year, with all the 
talk about a global tobacco settlement, tobacco farm families are very 
worried about their future. Mr. Speaker, I cannot predict at this point 
whether efforts to craft a settlement will be successful, but if and 
when the House addresses comprehensive tobacco legislation I will stand 
ready to ensure that our tobacco farmers are protected. I will stand, 
and I have listened carefully to my farmers and worked hard to 
formulate proposals that are fair and reflect their wishes. That may 
very well mean that we look for ways to provide a transition away from 
the current way of doing things, provided farmers are compensated in a 
fair and equitable way.
  In the meantime, though, we have a responsibility to ensure the 
continuation of the tobacco program that our farmers have relied on for 
so many years. Some have suggested that the taxpayer subsidizes the 
Federal tobacco program. I strongly disagree, because the budget 
deficit assessment paid by the tobacco growers and companies more than 
offsets the costs incurred by the USDA in the operation of the tobacco 
program, and we know what the tobacco taxes contribute to the coffers 
of the Federal Treasury.
  However, Mr. Speaker, to address these arguments I am introducing the 
Tobacco Program Administrative Reform Act of 1998. My proposed 
legislation will require current Federal expenditures for tobacco crop 
insurance, extension services, and the administration of the price 
support and quota programs to be funded by additional assessments on 
tobacco product manufacturers and importers.
  So let me be very clear, Mr. Speaker, we may very well need to think 
about a new direction for our tobacco farmers beyond the status quo. 
But there should be no confusion that the tobacco program has served 
our farmers ably, and for many rural counties it is the life blood of 
their economies. In the absence of comprehensive tobacco legislation, 
we must take every step to protect our farmers by maintaining the 
current tobacco program.

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