FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
202-224-7777
January 28, 2002
Miller: Finish Farm Bill
Immediately
Farmers, Bankers Anxiously Awaiting Action from
Congress
WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Zell Miller (D-GA) today called
on the Senate to finish the debate and pass a new Farm Bill as
soon as possible. The House has passed a Farm Bill; the Senate
debated its version of the bill in December, but failed to
pass it before adjournment.
The following is Senator Miller's statement that was
entered into the Congressional Record today:
"Our farmers are hurting, and they are facing an uncertain
future. They desperately need the stability this Farm Bill
will offer them.
"Because we failed to act in December, many bankers are
balking at issuing loans to farmers. The bankers want a
guarantee that there will be a new Farm Bill this season, or -
at the very least - a disaster relief package.
"And our farmers cannot operate without loans. Their
livelihood depends on getting that bank loan each season. So,
we've left them in limbo, anxiously awaiting our next
move.
"That's why we must pass this Farm Bill as soon as
possible.
"Remember, the 1996 Farm Bill didn't pass until April of
that year, and it was still able to be implemented for that
year's growing season. We will be able to do the same this
year if we pass a bill early this spring.
"I worked hard on the Agriculture Committee to protect the
interests of Georgia and the Southeast. The bill we came up
with is good for Georgia. It provides more assistance for
peanuts and cotton, and most Georgia agriculture groups had
displayed a rare unity in rallying around it.
"We must pass this Farm Bill and get it to the President as
quickly as possible. Our farmers and the rural areas they
breathe life into cannot afford for us to put it off any
longer."
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