Senators request $6 billion in drought aid

Say drought conditions have worsened

WASHINGTON (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. The 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 Sen. Kent Conrad, D-ND, conditions have worsened. Along with Sen. Norm Coleman, R-MN, and 10 other senators, Conrad introduced a bill Sept. 6 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.

White House spokesman Alex Conant said Sept. 6 that the administration still opposes the congressional disaster funding. Recently, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture 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-SD, one of the bill's co-sponsors, said the bill needs President George W. 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 would provide $300 million in grants for small businesses that have been directly affected by agricultural disasters. 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-MT, another co-sponsor. "Agriculture should not be different."

Date: 9/21/06

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