And we ought to have price reporting. In a fair market, we need to know exactly what people are being paid for their products. Also, we need to make sure that state laws are not preempted and that the high standards for price disclosure that states like Minnesota have set remain in place to protect our producers. Finally, we ought to continue to promote fair trade, so markets are open for our farmers overseas. The family farmers in Minnesota, you give them a level playing field, you give them a fair shake, and they can compete against anybody.
Problem is, right now, the deck is stacked.
The delegation members have also been central to several other grassroots efforts in the Midwest to address the Farm Crisis. Wellstone also urged the Senate to take immediate action to help farmers. When Senators Harkin and Dorgan offer their amendment to provide more emergency assistance for farmers, the Senate ought to pass it. It has failed twice by a party-line vote. It is a shame.