CRAPO: FARM BILL IS TOO IMPORTANT FOR PARTISAN POLITICS

Washington, D.C. - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo, a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, and Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Rural Revitalization, Conservation, Forestry and Credit, in a speech before the full U.S. Senate today, expressed disappointment with the Senate Majority Leadership for using procedural tactics to block open consideration of the Farm Bill and forcing a vote to move the closed bill forward.

"I support the Senate Farm Bill," said Crapo. "It is important legislation that affects so many people's lives, through providing food security, enabling global competitiveness and ensuring a better environment. However, I don't support the divisive tactics that have been used to block a fair amendment process."

Crapo called on Senate Leadership to work together to enable a process to move the Farm Bill forward in a constructive manner. He also highlighted a number of provisions in the legislation important to Idaho farmers and ranchers, such as the Endangered Species Act tax incentives provisions, continued support for wheat, barley, sugar, wool and pulse crop producers, expanded specialty crop assistance, significant investments in energy programs and improvements to rural development programs.

"There are more than 25 thousand farms and ranches in Idaho producing more than 140 commodities statewide," said Crapo. "There are a number of provisions in the Farm Bill that are of vital importance to Idaho communities and communities across this nation. I remain committed to working together to move this Farm Bill forward through a fair and open process that provides for the enactment of a Farm Bill that strengthens American Agriculture."

To listen to Crapo's speech, please go to his website at http://crapo.senate.gov.
To link directly to the speech, please go to http://crapo.senate.gov/media/audio_2007.cfm