[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 19 (Thursday, February 28, 2002)]
[House]
[Page H638]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         STALLING THE FARM BILL

  (Mr. KINGSTON asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. KINGSTON. Mr. Speaker, several months ago back in October the 
House of Representatives passed a farm bill. Farm bills are important 
because in our food service delivery production chain, the government 
is very involved in the production end on the farm; and farmers cannot 
make planting decisions until the law for the coming year is 
stipulated. And one reason they cannot is they cannot borrow money to 
plant their crops because the banks will not lend money until they know 
what the farm bill says in it.
  Now, because of the House of Representatives return by Republicans is 
responsible, we passed this many, many months ago. Unfortunately it is 
across the hall in a body led by the other party, and they are still 
sitting on it. It is sad when so many people have such a callous 
disregard for farmers in America and for production agriculture. We 
need food in this country.
  The miracle of our food, to think that less than 2 percent of the 
population is serving 100 percent plus the world; and yet we cannot get 
the other body to pass the farm bill. It is ridiculous. Let us move on 
for the sake of farmers and for the sake of American consumers and get 
this thing done.

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