WASHINGTON, June 6, 2012– Senate Majority Leader Senator Harry Reid, D-Nev., spoke on the Senate floor today regarding the Senate Agriculture Committee-passed Farm Bill, the Agriculture Reform, Food and Jobs Act of 2012, calling it “a strong, bipartisan agriculture bill.”
“This measure will create jobs and cut subsidies,” Reid said during his comments on the Senate floor Wednesday morning. He added that he will “look forward to working quickly and cooperatively to pass a bill that creates jobs, cuts subsidies and reduces the deficit while protecting American farmers.”
Senators are expected to begin consideration of the legislation today.
Reid’s full comments are below:
“At a time when too many of the products we buy are made overseas, America can be satisfied so much of the food we eat is grown right here at home.
The American agriculture industry boasted a $42 billion trade surplus last year – greater than any other sector of our economy.
Our farmers are the most productive in the world, exporting $136 billion worth of their yield last year.
In an era of economic uncertainty, America’s agriculture industry supports 16 million much-needed jobs in this country.
So Congress must give farmers the certainty they need to keep the industry thriving.
I commend Senator Debbie Stabenow and Senator Pat Roberts – the chairwoman and ranking member of the Agriculture Committee – for crafting a strong, bipartisan agriculture bill.
This measure will create jobs and cut subsidies.
It includes important reforms that make farm and Food Stamp programs more accountable and more defensible.
With more farmers seek new global markets for their products than ever before, this bill supports rural farm jobs as well as urban manufacturing jobs.
It will help new farmers – especially those who have served their country in the Armed Forces – access the capital and training they need to build successful businesses.
The legislation helps local farmers sell their products where they grow them – connecting farms, schools and communities.
And it saves $23 billion, which will be used to reduce the deficit.
I know there are a number of Democratic and Republican Senators who wish to offer amendments to this legislation.
I have confidence in the leadership of Senators Stabenow and Roberts, and look forward to working quickly and cooperatively to pass a bill that creates jobs, cuts subsidies and reduces the deficit while protecting American farmers.”
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