Yet the sugar program endures. The U.S.
House of Representatives, in February 1996,
came within five votes of abolishing the U.S.
sugar program; five years later, on October 4,
2001, the House could only muster 177 votes
for a modest amendment to cut the sugar loan
rate by 1 cent per pound. The U.S. sugar program
is a failure by every measure except its
political support in Congress.