[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 98 (Wednesday, July 10, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1041]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




VOTE ON AMENDMENT H. AMDT. 227 TO H.R. 1947, THE ``FEDERAL AGRICULTURE 
                REFORM AND RISK MANAGEMENT ACT OF 2013''

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                         HON. JOHN CONYERS, JR.

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 10, 2013

  Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Speaker, on Thursday, June 20, 2013, I inadvertently 
voted against the Pitts-Davis amendment to H.R. 1947, the ``Federal 
Agriculture Reform and Risk Management Act of 2013'' which was designed 
to reform the United States' national sugar policy. However, I rise 
today to clarify my position concerning this amendment and to state 
that I fully support the Pitts-Davis amendment and will continue to 
support and cosponsor H.R. 693, the ``Sugar Reform Act of 2013.''
  It is unfortunate that the failed FARRM Bill proposed reforms for 
every commodity program except the sugar program, the most intrusive 
and outdated of them all. Our focus in Congress should be geared toward 
balancing the needs of all Americans. Instead, our current sugar 
policy's one-sided approach favors sugar processors and growers over 
American consumers and businesses. Under current law, the sugar 
industry is able to reap record profits when domestic sugar supplies 
are tight because of government restrictions. Yet, the cost of the 
sugar program is then passed on to taxpayers when surplus sugar burdens 
the market. As a result, American families have to spend additional 
money on their grocery bills and American companies are placed at a 
competitive disadvantage. We must limit these government restrictions 
and allow for a competitive marketplace that will balance the needs of 
all Americans.

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