U.S. Senator Thad Cochran, R-Miss.
Statement for Senate Passage of the Agriculture Reform, Food and Jobs Act of 2013 (S.954)
June 10, 2013
Madam President, I am pleased to join the distinguished Senator from Michigan in urging approval of this bill by the Senate. It has been a pleasure working with her and other members of the Agriculture Committee to produce a Farm Bill that meets the needs of those involved in agriculture production and the consumers of the crops produced by American farmers and ranchers.
The Senate debate on the Farm Bill has included votes on a number of amendments over the last two weeks. American agriculture producers deserve the certainty that comes with a strong five-year farm bill. I’m pleased that we’ve come up with a bill that will meet that need.
This legislation will provide farmers in all regions of the country with a robust and workable safety net, while also reducing by $24 billion dollars the cost of the programs authorized by current law.
This Farm Bill will also encourage and reward protection of water, soil and forestry resources.
This bill also authorizes and improves federal nutrition programs administered by the Department of Agriculture. It contains reforms to the nutrition title to eliminate waste, fraud and abuse.
This bill deserves the support of the Senate.
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