[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 100 (Thursday, June 8, 2023)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2014-S2015]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                               Farm Bill

  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, as I outlined earlier this week, the 
Senate has a great deal of work to do to fulfill

[[Page S2015]]

our most basic responsibilities: keeping America safe, keeping America 
fed, and keeping the lights on.
  Our colleagues on the Appropriations Committee intend to fund the 
Federal Government through regular order. The Armed Services Committee 
has an urgent responsibility to set the Senate's national security 
priorities so we can face growing threats and fund our Armed Forces 
accordingly.
  And also this year, the Agriculture Committee has to pass the farm 
bill. This legislation is the cornerstone of the government's approach 
to helping growers feed America. It includes essential provisions that 
support farmers, create good-paying jobs, and strengthen rural 
communities.
  In my home State of Kentucky, nearly 75,000 farms help keep dinner 
plates full and grocery stores stocked throughout the entire country. 
But thanks to endless redtape from unelected bureaucrats and partisan 
foot-dragging here in Washington, it is more difficult than ever to be 
a farmer in Kentucky.
  Washington Democrats' runaway inflation has bogged down small family 
farms. With production costs on the rise, the Department of Agriculture 
projects that net farm income will decline by--listen to this--20 
percent in 2023.
  Naturally, farm families are looking to Congress to deliver much 
needed help and stability. In Kentucky, farmers are stalling 
investments and taking on unforeseen risks as they wait for Washington 
to make up its mind. Farmers in Kentucky and across the country deserve 
certainty from Congress so they can plan for the future.
  With less than 4 months to go until many current farm bill provisions 
expire, time is running out. That is why Congress needs to do its job 
and get this legislation across the finish line swiftly.
  Last week, negotiations between a Democratic President and a 
Republican Speaker allowed the Senate to take an important step toward 
fiscal sanity and avert economic catastrophe. In the coming months, we 
will need further collaboration to produce legislation that puts 
farmers first and secures our food supply. Senate Republicans stand 
ready to do our part.