FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 31, 2001
Contact: Drew Goesl 

Lincoln, Agriculture Committee Launch Farm Bill Debate Today
First Hearing is on Non-Controversial Credit Title

Washington – U.S. Senator Blanche Lincoln and the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee moved one step closer to rewriting the nation's farm policy today in a hearing aimed at drafting the credit title of a new farm bill.

Lincoln has been among the Senate's strongest advocates for adoption of a farm bill this year so Arkansas farmers can plan for the 2002 crop year.

"Today we are taking an important step in beginning the hard but necessary process of writing an effective farm bill that works for our farmers and rural residents," said Lincoln at today's hearing. "As we all know, the clock is ticking. Our counterparts in the House have already passed a bill, and now rural America is waiting for us to do our part here in the Senate. Our farmers cannot afford to wait until next year. The time is now, and that is why I am so pleased that this Committee is finally sitting down to put this vital law together."

Addressing the widespread problems and shortcomings of current Agriculture policy has been one of Lincoln's top priorities since being elected to public office. Having served on the U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee since arriving in the Senate in 1998, she has worked with leadership in both parties towards changing current farm policy. Recently, Lincoln spoke to the Senate on Agriculture Market Transition Assistance (AMTA) payments, and has fought hard for additional funds for cotton and rice farmers in Arkansas. Lincoln has continued to build pressure on Senate leaders to debate a new farm bill this year.

Today's Agriculture Committee hearing focused specifically on the Credit Title which addresses farm financing. Lincoln has demanded that the Committee rewrite the entire remainder of the farm bill next week as opposed to considering each title separately.

"Before a farmer can plant a seed, he has to have the financial resources available to him to operate his farm," said Lincoln. "His local banker needs the financial infrastructure to finance the farmer with an adequate measure of security. And rural communities need the financial stability that both the farmer and the local banker can offer. All of these things are difficult to achieve unless we can write an effective Credit Title. I look forward to working with a more comprehensive view next week."

Since her days in Congress representing Arkansas' 1st District from 1992-1996, Lincoln served on the U.S. House of Representatives Agriculture Committee for four years, and with the Democrats' new majority in the Senate, Lincoln assumes the role of Chairman of the Senate Agriculture Subcommittee on Forestry, Conservation and Rural Revitalization.