Debbie Stabenow

Ms. STABENOW

Ms. STABENOW. I ask for the yeas and nays.

Ms. STABENOW. Mr. President, I must, regretfully, oppose this amendment. I deeply care about protecting nutrition assistance programs. I hope that is not in doubt. But here is what is going on. In a handful of States, they have found a way to increase the SNAP benefits for people in their States by sending $1 checks in heating assistance to everyone who gets food assistance. Now, it is important to consider what a family's heating bill is when determining how much help they need, which is why the two programs are linked. But sending out $1 checks to everyone is not the intent of Congress. For the small number of States that are doing that, it is undermining the integrity of the program, in my judgment. I appreciate we have turned down those amendments that would, in fact, change this structure and lower benefits. But this is about accountability and integrity within the program, and I must oppose the amendment.

Ms. STABENOW. Mr. President, I rise to oppose this amendment. I appreciate the interest and concern of the Senator from Tennessee. Let me just say that this amendment would cut off access for farmers and small businesses that are looking to develop wind energy projects that will create jobs. I have to say, as someone coming from Michigan, when I look at one of those big wind turbines, I see 8,000 parts, and every single one of them can be made in Michigan or across the country--we would prefer Michigan. But the reality is this is about jobs. We are in the middle of a global clean energy race with countries such as China, and this is about giving our businesses a leg up to be able to win that race. Frankly, it is about getting us off of foreign oil. This is one way to do that and to create jobs. Since 2005, wind energy companies have contributed more than $60 billion to the economy, with over 400 facilities in 43 States. It is about jobs. It is about manufacturing. I would urge a ``no'' vote.

Ms. STABENOW. I ask for the yeas and nays.

Ms. STABENOW. Mr. President, we yield back all time. I understand we can proceed with a voice vote.

Ms. STABENOW. Mr. President, on behalf of the ranking member and myself, I yield back all time, and we both agree to a voice vote.

Ms. STABENOW. I ask for a record rollcall.

Ms. STABENOW. Mr. President, on behalf of the ranking member and myself, I yield back the time. It is my understanding that we may proceed with a voice vote on this amendment.

Ms. STABENOW. Mr. President, I would urge my colleagues to oppose this amendment that would prohibit the zero cost check-off programs. These programs are funded by the private industry, not taxpayers. They are incredibly beneficial to farmers and businesses who want to help market their products. For example, the ``Got Milk'' campaign came from a check-off program used by the dairy industry. The ``Incredible Edible Egg'' is another one. No single egg farmer is going to have the resources to run a national television ad encouraging folks to eat more eggs. Let's be clear. This is a program that commodity groups vote on and agree to. The ``Got Milk'' campaign happened because dairy farmers got together, voted, and decided they wanted to go ahead and do research and a promotion program. Let's not take the ability for the industry to come together, pool their own money, and market their product. I would urge a ``no'' vote and ask for the yeas and nays.

Ms. STABENOW. Mr. President, it is my understanding that we can proceed with a voice vote on this amendment.

Ms. STABENOW. Mr. President, I rise to oppose this amendment. The FDA loan guarantees are critical to our farmers, our rural small businesses, and community banks in small towns across the country. The loan guarantee programs help support commercial and farm credit lending when farmers and ranchers face tough times. It is also an important program to help beginning farmers and ranchers who don't have a long history of credit but who are certainly qualified to receive loans to start their operations. We know that the average age of an American farmer is 57 years and that one-quarter of our farmers are 65 years of age or older. If agriculture in America is going to survive, we need to have young people engaged in farming. This amendment would make it much harder. So I oppose the amendment.

Ms. STABENOW. Mr. President, we agree to a voice vote.

Ms. STABENOW. Mr. President, it is my understanding we are ready with the amendment of Senator Snowe. I ask she be the next amendment in order.

Ms. STABENOW. I yield the remainder of the time.

Ms. STABENOW. I thank Senator Lieberman for his leadership on environmental issues facing his State and the Long Island Sound. Yes, that is my intent through the Regional Conservation Partnership Program.

Ms. STABENOW. I ask for the yeas and nays.

Ms. STABENOW. Mr. President, I ask for the yeas and nays.

Ms. STABENOW. Mr. President, I support this amendment and yield the remainder of our time. It is my understanding we can proceed with a voice vote on this amendment.

Ms. STABENOW. I ask unanimous consent that Bennet-Crapo amendment No. 2202, which has been cleared by both sides, be in order.

Ms. STABENOW

Ms. STABENOW. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent the following members of Senator Bingaman's office be granted the privilege of the floor for the pendency of S. 3240, the farm bill: Bijan Peters, Eugenia Woods, James Anderson, Aurora Trujillo, Carl Slater.

Ms. STABENOW

Ms. STABENOW. This evening we reached agreement for consideration of amendments to the farm bill. There will be several rollcall votes beginning at 2:15 tomorrow in relation to the amendments to the farm bill. We will also begin consideration of S.J. Res. 37, a joint resolution of disapproval regarding boiler MACT.

Ms. STABENOW

Ms. STABENOW. Mr. President, if there is no further business to come before the Senate, I ask unanimous consent it adjourn under the previous order.

Ms. STABENOW

Ms. STABENOW. I ask unanimous consent that the Judiciary Committee be discharged from further consideration of and the Senate now proceed to S. Res. 470.

Ms. STABENOW

Ms. STABENOW. I ask unanimous consent that the resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, the motion to reconsider be laid on the table, with no intervening action or debate, and that any statements be printed in the Record as if read.

Ms. STABENOW

Ms. STABENOW. Mr. President, notwithstanding the adoption of S. Res. 488 and the preamble thereto, I ask unanimous consent that a Snowe amendment to the preamble that is at the desk be agreed to.