Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                             CONTACT:   Phillip Hayes

February 1, 2011                                                                                             202-507-8303

Sugar Producers Congratulate Sen. Roberts

WASHINGTON—Kansas Senator Pat Roberts today was named the top Republican of the Senate Agriculture Committee for the 112^th Congress, a vital role as lawmakers begin to work on the 2012 Farm Bill. In response, the American Sugar Alliance released the following statement:

“This is a critical time for farmers and ranchers.  And, as we approach the 2012 Farm Bill, it is imperative that rural America’s top leaders fill positions where important decisions will be made. We are thrilled that Senator Roberts will be Ranking Member of the Senate Ag Committee, where he can work closely with Chairman Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) to draft a bipartisan bill that will keep the agriculture sector strong.

“Senator Roberts has long been a champion of a strong safety net and has dedicated almost 30 years in public office to maintaining economic stability in America’s heartland. We are looking forward to working closely with Ranking Member Roberts and Chairman Stabenow to ensure that no-cost sugar policy continues into the future.”

Senator Roberts served as Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee during the 1996 Farm Bill and was a key participant in the 2002 and 2008 Farm Bill debates.  Each of these pieces of legislation included the current sugar policy, which operates at no cost to taxpayers, supports more than 146,000 American jobs, and plays an essential role in the nation’s food security.

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For more information about the American Sugar Alliance and U.S. sugar policy, visit www.sugaralliance.org