[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 119 (Wednesday, September 21, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Pages S10287-S10288]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                            SPECIALTY CROPS

  Mr. BENNETT. Mr. President, throughout this entire process, both at 
subcommittee and at full committee level, Senator Feinstein and Senator 
Craig have expressed great interest and concern about specialty crops, 
and they have asked us to take action with respect to specialty crops. 
We have been unable to find room in our allocation to deal with it. 
However, we recognize that the House has an allocation for specialty 
crops, and for that reason we believe we will be able to find a 
solution to this issue in conference.
  The 2 Senators have been very cooperative and helpful. I want to make 
everyone understand that as we have worked our way through this they 
have been in no way less than enthusiastic about supporting the issue 
of specialty crops. If we get the problem solved in conference, as I am 
hopeful we can, and as I have commented to them that I will work to do, 
it will be in large measure because of the tenacity and leadership of 
Senator Feinstein and Senator Craig. We appreciate their calling our 
attention to this particular issue.
  Also, Senator DeWine and Senator Stabenow have a problem which we 
have indicated we will do our best to deal with in conference. We 
understand the importance of the issue they have raised.
  With that, I want to once again pay tribute to the ranking member, 
Senator Kohl, and to his staff as we have gone through this process. 
Both the

[[Page S10288]]

majority and minority staff have worked as one rather than as two 
competing staff. That is one of the reasons we have been able to clear 
as many amendments as we have as expeditiously as we have.
  I once again want to thank my ranking member not only for his 
professionalism but for his friendship as we have gone throughout this 
process.
  Mr. KOHL. Mr. President, I thank Senator Bennett very much for the 
sentiments expressed, which are felt similarly by myself and people who 
are working with me.
  On the question of Senator Feinstein and Senator Craig and others in 
specialty crops, as you have indicated, we all understand how important 
this program is across the country, not only in California and in Idaho 
but in other States, as well. I am aware the House bill includes 
funding.
  I will join with Senator Bennett and we will do everything we can to 
adopt the House level in conference.

                          ____________________