FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 23, 2013
CONTACT: Chris Gallegos
AS SENATE BREAKS, COCHRAN OPTIMISTIC ABOUT FARM BILL PROGRESS
Senator Looks Forward to Farm Bill Passage in Senate after Memorial Day Break
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Thad Cochran (R-Miss.), ranking member on the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee, today said he looks for forward to the Senate passing a new farm bill after the Memorial Day break.
Cochran and Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) on Thursday afternoon thanked their colleagues for the progress made during the week-long beginning debate on the Agriculture Reform, Food and Jobs Act of 2013 (S.954, the farm bill). The Senate will resume consideration of the measure June 3.
“We’ve made true progress in developing what I think can be a very important contribution toward a legislative framework to help enable American farmers to compete in the international marketplace and to sustain the jobs that flow from their work throughout the country,” Cochran said.
“At a time when in some places jobs are hard to find, this farm bill represents a job creator. It’s a step toward strengthening our economy, not just in rural America but in municipalities throughout the country,” he said.
As part of the farm bill debate, Stabenow and Cochran are working to manage the more than 200 amendments filed to S.954.
“I’m pleased to join the Chairwoman Stabenow in predicting that we are moving in the right direction. We’ve covered a lot of important issues, taken up a good many amendments, had votes, and free and full discussion,” Cochran said.
The Senate farm bill would achieve $24 billion in savings by restructuring the farm safety net, streamlining and consolidating conservation programs, and eliminating waste, fraud and abuse within the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
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Chris Gallegos
Office of U.S. Senator Thad Cochran
Committee on Appropriations – Minority
Magnolia Tribune
