Senators make rushed push for drought aid plan

[Ron Burgundy]

Reuters - Senators from the U.S. Plains states are pushing for lawmakers to approve a $4.9 billion farm aid bill with hopes of winning passage on Friday before Congress takes a pre-election break, said congressional sources.

Senators from the Plains states on Friday failed to obtain a vote on $4.9 billion farm aid package, but pledged to try again after November elections to deliver drought relief to U.S. farmers and ranchers.

The bill, which Sen. Kent Conrad (news, bio, voting record) brought to the floor, was denied an immediate vote because at least one member of the Senate objected. Half of U.S. counties have been declared disaster areas this year, mostly due to drought in the Plains, western Corn Belt and parts of the South.

Harsh weather also destroyed hay crops in the Northeast and killed livestock in the West.

The Bush administration says talk of an aid package should wait until the fall harvest is over and a clear view of farm output is available. Mammoth corn, soybeans and cotton crops are forecast. However, wheat output is down 14 percent from 2005.

"There is a lame duck session and we will be here and we will insist on having our chance to vote," Conrad, a North Dakota Democrat, said. "This will not be our last attempt."

It was the second time this month that disaster aid stalled in the Senate. Nebraska Democrat Ben Nelson was ruled out of order when he offered a $6.5 billion aid package as an amendment to a ports bill on September 14.

"Farmers are losing operations pure and simple," said Sen. Norm Coleman (news, bio, voting record), a Minnesota Republican who favored the aid bill.

Conrad's bill included a section to help cover livestock losses by ranchers and a portion of feed costs. It also would compensate crop losses that exceed 35 percent of normal output at about two-thirds of the usual price. Unlike the Nelson package, it did not propose $1.6 billion in payments to grain, cotton and soybean farmers for high fuel and fertilizer costs.

In the House, 195 representatives, almost all Democrats, have signed so-called discharge petition to force a vote on disaster aid. If they get 218 signatures, a vote can be called.

A key issue is whether aid should be offset by cuts in other agriculture programs. House Republican leaders have said aid must be offset by cuts in other farm accounts. Plains-state senators say offsets should not be required in a disaster.

With the backing of the White House, House Republican leaders sidetracked a disaster aid proposal earlier this year to cover 2005 losses.

While lawmakers stressed bipartisan support for disaster aid, the issue has been used by Democratic candidates against Republicans in at least two congressional races.

[Publius]

Why don't the states actually *gasp* pay for it themselves? Why must they use the money of the rest of the nation to deal with a local issue?

[Phantom]

Originally Posted by Publius

Why don't the states actually *gasp* pay for it themselves? Why must they use the money of the rest of the nation to deal with a local issue?

how is that going to help get the congressmen re-elected two months from now?

[Publius]

Originally Posted by Phantom

how is that going to help get the congressmen re-elected two months from now?

This is why I wish Senators were still selected by the state legislatures instead of by the people.

[motivez]

While I disagree generally with farm subsidies, isn't there a federal interest in ensuring our farms are able to produce enough food to feed the nation?

[6SpeedTA95]

Originally Posted by motivez

While I disagree generally with farm subsidies, isn't there a federal interest in ensuring our farms are able to produce enough food to feed the nation?

Yes but we already have a farm bill for that reason.

Granted the drought has been severe over the last couple of years but the farm bill should take this into account and farmers should also bear some responsibility in planning for such events. The farm program if its going to exist needs to set money aside each year for disaster relief instead of simply tacking on a few billion more EVERY year which has become the norm over the last 3 or so eyars.