The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
“Farm Bill (Executive Session)” mentioning the U.S. Dept of Agriculture was published in the in the Senate section section on pages S2014-S2015 on June 8.
The Department is primarily focused on food nutrition, with assistance programs making up 80 percent of its budget. Downsizing the Federal Government, a project aimed at lowering taxes and boosting federal efficiency, said the Department implements too many regulations and restrictions and impedes the economy.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
Farm Bill
Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, as I outlined earlier this week, the Senate has a great deal of work to do to fulfill our most basic responsibilities: keeping America safe, keeping America fed, and keeping the lights on.
Our colleagues on the Appropriations Committee intend to fund the Federal Government through regular order. The Armed Services Committee has an urgent responsibility to set the Senate's national security priorities so we can face growing threats and fund our Armed Forces accordingly.
And also this year, the Agriculture Committee has to pass the farm bill. This legislation is the cornerstone of the government's approach to helping growers feed America. It includes essential provisions that support farmers, create good-paying jobs, and strengthen rural communities.
In my home State of Kentucky, nearly 75,000 farms help keep dinner plates full and grocery stores stocked throughout the entire country. But thanks to endless redtape from unelected bureaucrats and partisan foot-dragging here in Washington, it is more difficult than ever to be a farmer in Kentucky.
Washington Democrats' runaway inflation has bogged down small family farms. With production costs on the rise, the Department of Agriculture projects that net farm income will decline by--listen to this--20 percent in 2023.
Naturally, farm families are looking to Congress to deliver much needed help and stability. In Kentucky, farmers are stalling investments and taking on unforeseen risks as they wait for Washington to make up its mind. Farmers in Kentucky and across the country deserve certainty from Congress so they can plan for the future.
With less than 4 months to go until many current farm bill provisions expire, time is running out. That is why Congress needs to do its job and get this legislation across the finish line swiftly.
Last week, negotiations between a Democratic President and a Republican Speaker allowed the Senate to take an important step toward fiscal sanity and avert economic catastrophe. In the coming months, we will need further collaboration to produce legislation that puts farmers first and secures our food supply. Senate Republicans stand ready to do our part.