[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 5 (Tuesday, January 29, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Page S204]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   UNANIMOUS CONSENT REQUEST--S. 1630

  Mrs. CARNAHAN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate 
proceed to the immediate consideration of Calendar No. 218, S. 1630; 
that the bill be read three times and passed, and the motion to 
reconsider be laid upon the table with no intervening action.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection?
  Mr. CRAIG. Mr. President, on behalf of the Republican leader, I 
object.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Objection is heard.
  Mrs. CARNAHAN. Mr. President, I am disappointed to hear objection to 
passing a bipartisan bill to help family farmers. We spent a great deal 
of time last year trying to pass a farm bill. I supported that effort. 
I support reviving that effort again this year.
  The legislation that I am trying to pass today is also aimed at 
helping ailing family farmers. The bill would extend chapter 12 of the 
bankruptcy code for 6 additional months. Chapter 12 offers expedited 
bankruptcy procedures for family farmers in an effort to accommodate 
their special needs. It was first enacted in 1986. It has been extended 
several times since then--most recently earlier this year.
  The provisions of chapter 12 allow family farmers to reorganize their 
debts as opposed to liquidating their assets. These provisions can be 
invaluable to farmers struggling to stay in business during difficult 
times. Unfortunately, chapter 12 expired on October 1 last year.
  My bill seeks to extend these provisions for six additional months 
and to reinstate them retroactively to the date when they expired. 
Retroactivity will ensure that there are no gaps in availability of 
these procedures. I hope this will be the last extension that is 
necessary.
  The larger bankruptcy reform bill that is currently pending before a 
House-Senate conference committee includes a permanent extension of 
chapter 12. Nevertheless, American family farmers should not have to 
wait for us to complete our work on the bankruptcy reform bill. The 
very least we can do to assist farmers now is to reenact these 
noncontroversial procedures. That is why I am so puzzled by this 
anonymous objection.

  Legislation extending these provisions passed the House of 
Representatives by a vote of 408 to 2 last year and subsequently passed 
the Senate by unanimous consent. The Judiciary Committee unanimously 
reported the bill I am seeking to pass today on a voice vote. 
Furthermore, the bill has several bipartisan cosponsors, including my 
colleague from Missouri, Senator Kit Bond; the chairman of the 
Judiciary Committee, Senator Leahy; and the lead sponsor of the Senate 
bankruptcy reform bill, Senator Grassley.
  I urge any Senator who has any concern about this bill to speak with 
me. I will be more than happy to work to address any issues my 
colleagues may have in an effort to secure expedited passage of this 
bill.
  I yield the floor.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Iowa.

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