Farm, Nutrition, and Bioenergy Act of 2007

Floor Speech

FARM, NUTRITION, AND BIOENERGY ACT OF 2007

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Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself 1 minute.

The Davis-Kirk amendment will strike the new sugar provisions which will drive up the price of domestic sugar, therefore making it more difficult to candy makers, food processors, and confectionery businesses to survive. This new bill raises the sugar price supports, restricts sugar imports, and instructs the Secretary to buy surplus sugar for use in making ethanol.

Since 1997, the sugar subsidies have cost the U.S. economy a loss of 70,000 jobs. The Davis-Kirk amendment will make sure that the sugar program does not cost any more jobs than what we have already lost.

I reserve the balance of my time.

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Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Chairman, I'll use the balance of our time.

Mr. Chairman, I have here in my hand a circular from the U.S. Department of Agriculture that says this amendment, while not the administration's proposal, provides more flexibility to manage the program in a way that minimizes costs to the U.S. taxpayer than the committee's bill.

In addition, the 1 cent penalty on forfeitures will help discourage forfeitures of sugar placed under loan. This amendment also eliminates the increase in the sugar loan rate, helping to reduce cost for taxpayers.

Let's give our taxpayers a break. Support the Davis-Kirk amendment.

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