Farm state senators press for $6 billion in drought aid
(AP) - Farm-state senators are increasing their request for drought relief dollars by half, saying the nation's farmers now need an estimated $6 billion or more in assistance.
Democrats and Republicans in the Senate have been pushing a package that included $4 billion to help farmers and ranchers weather a devastating drought that has set records in many parts of the country.
One version of that package stalled earlier this year as House Republicans and the White House said it was too expensive and would unfairly distribute the money.
Since then, says Democratic Sen. Kent Conrad of North Dakota, conditions have worsened.
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Along with Republican Sen. Norm Coleman of Minnesota and 10 other senators, Conrad introduced a bill Wednesday asking for additional help. The bill is expected to exceed $6 billion and covers losses from both 2005 and 2006.
Conrad said the senators will try to attach the package to one of a few bills before the November election, when voters in hard-hit states may have drought on their minds. But he acknowledged that will be difficult with few legislative days left before Congress adjourns.
When a community or industry is impacted by a natural disaster such as a hurricane or tornado, we extend a helping hand. Agriculture should not be different.
A separate disaster package worth $4 billion is pending as part of an agriculture spending bill. But members of Republican leadership have not targeted that bill as a priority before the election.
White House spokesman Alex Conant said Wednesday that the administration still opposes the congressional disaster funding.
Last week, Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns promised to provide $79 million in relief funds, including $50 million for livestock producers, and accelerate $700 million in planned payments to cotton, grain sorghum and peanut farmers.
Farm-state members have said that's not enough.
"That's just shifting deck chairs on the Titanic," Conrad said.
Johanns has said he wants to wait for the harvest of this year's crops before deciding whether to give out more money.
Sen. Tim Johnson, D-S.D., one of the bill's co-sponsors, said the bill needs President Bush's approval to succeed.
"There are huge swatches of our state that could face depopulation because of a drought that is one of the worst since the Dust Bowl," he said.
The bill also provides money for flooding and other weather-related agricultural disasters.
It would provide $300 million in grants for small businesses that have been directly affected by weather, and Conrad said it would also give assistance to farmers affected by Tropical Storm Ernesto, which caused flooding in North Carolina, Virginia and Maryland.
"When a community or an industry is impacted by a natural disaster such as a hurricane or tornado, we extend a helping hand," said Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont., another co-sponsor. "Agriculture should be not be different."
(Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
