[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 6]
[Senate]
[Page 7882]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                            VOTE EXPLANATION

  Ms. KLOBUCHAR. Mr. President, I was absent for the vote on an 
amendment to S. 954 on Monday, June 3, 2013. Had I been present, I 
would have voted in favor of amendment No. 987. Alfalfa growers face 
unique risk management challenges and the amendment would require the 
U.S. Department of Agriculture to develop improved crop insurance 
policies for this crop.
  I have been closely monitoring reports of widespread loss of alfalfa 
in Minnesota this spring. Following last year's drought, this loss of 
alfalfa is particularly troubling for cattle and dairy producers. I am 
working closely with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Minnesota 
farmers to remove barriers for planting forages and also to expand 
opportunities for grazing livestock on conservation program acres. I 
will continue to push for immediate relief for Minnesota agriculture 
producers.

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