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War spending bill includes farm disaster dollarsWASHINGTON (AP)--House and Senate negotiators April 23 included $3.5 billion in farm disaster aid in the controversial war spending bill that would require withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq by next year. The money would help farmers in Western and Midwestern states that have suffered weather-related losses from drought and flooding over the past few years. The aid package finalized by the House-Senate conference committee is less than the $4.2 billion in aid approved in the Senate last month and $4 billion approved separately in the House. Overall, the bill totals $124.2 billion. Farm state lawmakers have pushed more than a year to secure disaster assistance to farmers, but Republicans have blocked previous efforts, saying it is expensive and excessive. President Bush has vowed to veto the bill, objecting to language that requires the first U.S. combat troops to withdraw from Iraq by Oct. 1 with a goal of a complete pullout six months later. Farm state Democrats praised the measure and called on Bush to drop his opposition. "We are now one step closer to bringing some help to our family farmers and ranchers," said Sen. Byron Dorgan, D-ND. "It is now up to President Bush to join us in helping family farmers and ranchers who have lost their crops and livestock as a result of weather-related disasters." Democratic aides said they expect the measure to pass both houses by Friday and then go to Bush early next week for his expected veto. Despite supporting disaster aid, farm state Republicans like Rep. Jerry Moran, R-KS, have said they cannot vote for a measure that includes a timetable or restrictions on troop deployments. 4 Star NE 4/30/07 6 B Date: 4/25/07
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