[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 79 (Thursday, June 6, 2013)]
[Senate]
[Page S3970]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                             THE FARM BILL

  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I talked a little bit about the farm bill, 
but in a few minutes we will consider whether to end debate on the 
agriculture jobs bill.
  I commend Chairman Stabenow and Ranking Member Cochran on their 
excellent work. We were able to get some votes, but we ran into a 
problem, and we were unable to reach an agreement to consider a finite 
number of amendments, as they have been trying to do for several days. 
I am optimistic and hopeful we will advance the measure and be able to 
pass the bill with a strong bipartisan vote as we did last year.
  Unfortunately, last year the House of Representative failed to even 
consider the Senate passed bipartisan farm bill. I hope this year the 
bipartisan legislation--which will create jobs, cut taxpayer subsidies, 
and reduce the debt by some $23 billion--will be voted on in the House.
  America's farms and ranches are the most productive in the world, but 
to keep America's farms and America's economy strong, Congress must 
pass a strong farm bill and do it quickly.

                          ____________________