Statement Of Chairman Tom Harkin (D-IA) On Cloture Filed On Senate Farm Bill

November 14, 2007 -- Washington, D.C. – Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, today issued the following statement after Senate Majority Leader Reid filed cloture on the Senate farm bill.

“It is frustrating and perplexing that we cannot move such a strong, bipartisan measure that came out of Committee without a dissenting vote. We cannot give up on this bill. Rural America, farming families and the nation are waiting. The Senate’s Republican leadership cannot be allowed to throw up obstacles to delay this measure.

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“With the farm bill in week two of consideration by the full Senate and still no action, we are seeing a pattern in the Republican leadership: while the Administration threatens a veto, Congressional leadership stalls. The Majority Leader has filed cloture to place a limit on the delaying tactics, and I fully support this action as a necessary effort to enact a new farm bill.”

Source: Senator Tom Harkin