Sen. Chuck Grassley today commented on the failure of the Senate to invoke cloture on the farm bill. Grassley said he voted against cloture on the bill because the Senate needs more time to develop a strong, bipartisan bill that includes key provisions left out of the strictly partisan version that the Agriculture Committee sent to the Senate floor.
Last week senators voted for Grassley's amendments to limit concentration in the livestock industry, empower family farmers in dispute resolutions, and help farmers develop renewable energy sources. These issues were not addressed in the committee bill.
Grassley said that while he does want to get a farm bill passed, it's important that Congress develop the best possible bill for Iowa farmers.
"Farm policy is too important to rush through Congress. We've got one more year left in the current farm bill and we can still have a program ready for farmers before they make fall tillage and fertilizing decisions for the 2003 crop year. Only by taking time to consider important issues left out of the committee bill can the Senate pass the best legislation possible for family farmers. There won't be another farm bill for at least five years, so we should make sure it's done right," Grassley said.