Democrats Defend the Artificially High Price For Milk

The AP reports:

A price support program for dairy farmers faces a brighter future in the new Senate, Sen. Charles Schumer said Tuesday, arguing that Democrats assuming key positions are longtime boosters of dairy interests.

The Milk Income Loss Contract, or MILC program, briefly expired in 2005 when legislators could not strike a deal. It was finally renewed at the end of last year for two years at an estimated cost of $1 billion.

Fights over milk supports have typically broken down along geographic, not political lines, but Schumer said the Democrats' 51-seat majority in the Senate beginning in January will boost MILC's fortunes.

Schumer, D-N.Y., pointed to Sens. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, and Patrick Leahy, D-Vermont. Harkin is slated to head the Agriculture Committee and Leahy is expected to lead the agriculture spending subcommittee _ both key positions from which to defend MILC as the Senate debates a massive new farm bill next year.

"And my being in Democratic leadership, I am going to make this a very high priority," said Schumer, recently elevated to the No. 3 Democrat in the Senate as a reward for orchestrating his party's Election Day victories.

Doesn't Schumer care about people poor who drink milk? What about the children?