[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 59 (Friday, May 10, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E760]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 FARM SECURITY ACT OF 2002 (H.R. 2646)

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                            HON. TODD TIAHRT

                               of kansas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 9, 2002

  Mr. TIAHRT. Mr. Speaker, today I offer my congratulations to Chairman 
Combest, the Ranking Member, Mr. Stenholm, and the 2002 Farm Bill 
conferees for their hard work in crafting a bipartisan bill that will 
help America's farmers.
  The Farm Security Act of 2002 is the product of 50 hearings over two 
years. I am pleased that we were able to pass a farm bill that 
maintains the market-oriented features of the 1996 Farm Bill while 
fully complying with the Congressional Budget Resolution. This Farm 
Bill is critically needed by our nation's farmers who are facing the 
lowest real net cash income on the farm since the Great Depression. 
Record high costs of production combined with the fifth straight year 
of record low prices necessitated the quick passage of a farm bill that 
addresses these critical issues.
  Americans rely on a consistent supply of nutritious food, and our 
farmers are the ones working hard to make this possible. Not only do 
they supply food for us domestically, but they also are the hands that 
feed the world. Our farmers deserve our support, and I was pleased to 
vote in favor of this bipartisan Farm Bill.
  Mr. Speaker, despite my support for this bill, I do want to go on 
record as having serious reservations about the price tag the Farm Bill 
could have for taxpayers. There is no doubt we need a strong farm bill, 
which I support. But I am concerned we are voting today on an 
overinflated six-year bill that has the potential to cost taxpayers far 
more than the estimated $170 billion. We must guard against turning the 
family farm into the federal government's farm. My concern is that this 
bill, while containing good provisions, is dangerously close to moving 
beyond reasonable support for farmers into warding the family farm to 
the welfare state.
  The American dream for agricultural producers is not a land of neo-
government farms, but rather individual opportunity to succeed by 
profitably working the land they love and own. This is the farmer's 
dream. Then, when help is needed due to unforseen events like natural 
disasters, Uncle Sam can offer assistance that encourages and 
motivates.
  Another concern is that the 2002 Farm Bill abuses agriculture 
subsidies by reviving price supports for commodities such as mohair, 
wool and honey. It also distorts the market by adding subsidies for 
milk, peanuts, lentils and chickpeas. I am disappointed that provisions 
in the Farm Security Act of 2002 succumbed to the pressures of special 
interest groups while ignoring the best interests of the citizens and 
farmers I represent and the American taxpayer.
  Despite disagreeing with many of this bill's provisions, I will vote 
in favor of the Farm Bill, because overall, it provides much-needed 
farm policy for the next six years and will help America's farmers. 
Without this bill, we would have automatically been forced back to 
1938/1949 permanent farm laws, which would have devastated our economy.
  Mr. Speaker, I hear from many constituents in the Fourth District of 
Kansas who care deeply about conservation. I am pleased to tell them 
that the Farm Security Act of 2002 builds on the current voluntary 
incentive programs for conservation that have proven to work. Farmers 
and ranchers will have the opportunity to participate in new 
conservation programs as well. I am pleased to know that the men and 
women who work the land and care most about it are the ones who are 
being provided with the power and means to better protect the soil, 
water and wildlife through the various conservation programs.
  This farm bill includes more than $200 million in federal funding for 
the Commodity Credit Corporation Bioenergy Program, which will help 
advance the production of biofuels, including ethanol. I have had many 
Kansans tell me they support continued investment into ethanol 
production as a fuel source. The 2002 Farm Bill provides federal 
assistance to bioenergy producers who purchase agricultural commodities 
for the purpose of expanding products of biodiesel and fuel grade 
ethanol.
  Mr. Speaker, past farm program levels for sorghum have distorted the 
market and reduced incentives to plant grain sorghum. I was pleased to 
see this disparity addressed in the Farm Bill. Equity for Kansas feed 
grains is important to Kansas farmers, and I strongly support this 
corrective provision.
  I am also pleased that the food stamp program has been simplified 
allowing states more flexibility in helping those in financial poverty. 
With the reduction of state reporting requirements, we are allowing 
states to require households to report changes in household 
circumstances not less often than once every six months in lieu of 
reporting changes as they occur. Another simplification in the food 
stamp program provided for in the Farm Bill allows states the option to 
exclude, rather than deduct, child support payments, and it allows the 
use of the Child Support Enforcement Agency data to determine the 
amount of support paid.
  Kansas farmers rely heavily on trade with other countries. With forty 
percent of U.S. commodities going into the export market, it is 
essential that producers have access to expanded markets. The 2002 Farm 
Bill answers this need by comporting with the United States' 
international trade obligations under the WTO. This allows for the 
promotion of more free trade for our future. Furthermore, the Farm Bill 
makes substantial investments in programs designed to aid in the 
creation, expansion and maintenance of foreign markets for U.S. 
agriculture products.
  Generous support for the Market Access Program, the Food for Progress 
Program, the Food for Peace Program, the Foreign Market Development 
Program and the McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and 
Child Nutrition Program are a few examples of how this Farm Bill helps 
expand our markets while sharing our bounty with the needy in 
developing countries around the globe.
  Mr. Speaker, research has been recognized in this Farm Bill as being 
the key to keeping U.S. producers competitive in the world market. The 
Farm Security Act of 2002 makes a significant new investment in 
research programs that will help reap rewards for producers and our 
society for generations to come.
  The Farm Bill makes significant investments in improving rural 
development. Rural development programs are important to sustaining 
communities by aiding in the development of infrastructure and job 
creation in rural areas. Our small communities across this country 
benefit from these programs, and I am pleased that this farm bill 
recognizes their importance to our American way of life.
  Getting broadband Internet service to our rural communities is also a 
concern I have. With the passage of the 2002 Farm Bill, we will be 
providing a total of $100 million to provide loans and loan guarantees 
to allow rural consumers access to high-speed, high-quality broadband 
services.
  Finally, Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to know that value added market 
development grants have been expanded to meet producers' interests in 
start-up, farmer-owned, value-added processing facilities. These grants 
will help establish resource centers to assist producers in value-added 
endeavors. The Farm Bill recognizes the importance of enabling 
producers to capture more of the value of their commodities.
  The Farm Security Act of 2002 offers farmers and ranchers and all 
Americans a balanced approach to securing our agriculture security into 
the future. I commend the Chairman and conferees for their dedication 
to a quality farm bill.

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