Grange Urges Jeffords on in His Filibuster

October 11, 1999

With a vote on cloture coming late Tuesday afternoon, the National Grange has urged Sen. James Jeffords (R-VT) to filibuster the agricultural appropriations bill. Jeffords and other northeastern senators are working to stall the bill because it does not contain dairy provisions they believe should be included. The Grange agrees.

"The National Grange is extremely disappointed that dairy reforms will not be included in the fiscal year 2000 agricultural appropriations conference report," says Grange Master Kermit W. Richardson. "It now appears that if nothing is done to correct this situation, both dairy farmers and consumers will be the ultimate victims of Congress' failure to enact common sense and proven reforms to enhance the reliability, profitability and competitiveness of our nation's dairy industry."

A Grange letter to Jeffords urges all senators to reject any cloture motions that would shut off consideration of dairy issues not included in the appropriations bill. Specifically, Jeffords and the Grange want expanded dairy compact provisions and a milk pricing structure included that is considered by many analysts more favorable to farm milk prices in much of the country.

The provisions "deserve to be implemented," says Richardson. "Leaving these important components out of the conference report would send a negative signal to dairy producers and their families. The potential exodus of farm families from rural communities would leave an irreplaceable void for efficient dairy production and related resource management."