Federal Agriculture Reform and Risk Management Act of 2013

Floor Speech

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Mr. COSTA. I thank the gentleman from Minnesota.

Mr. Speaker, ladies and gentlemen, the farm bill usually is one of the most bipartisan things we do around here, but not today.

Even though many of my colleagues, unlike myself, were not farm kids, I assume that they could tell the horse's head from the horse's rear; but they are totally backwards on this one.

Last night, we received notice that previously an unreleased farm bill was going to be sprung on the floor today. What about regular order? This stunt makes a mockery of Chairman Lucas and Ranking Member Peterson and the committee's work over the last year and a half.

Farmers, ranchers, and anyone who believes in government transparency must be shaking their heads, saying, There they go again.

Once again, the majority has chosen to make everything we do around here partisan. This is one of the least likely partisan persons you are going to talk to. Unlike many of my colleagues on this side of the aisle, I supported the farm bill 2 weeks ago when it failed. I supported it because I thought we ought to move the process forward. This moves us backwards, and it removes permanent law, and I don't think we will ever see a farm bill again.

I cannot support this bill. I urge my colleagues to do the same.

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