Senators Introduce Disaster Relief

September 8, 2006 - Sens. Conrad Burns (R-Mont.) and Kent Conrad (D-N.D.) introduced separate disaster legislation this week to address the need for comprehensive agricultural disaster and drought assistance covering losses in both the 2005 and 2006 production years.

"We need to address disaster assistance and we need to do it right away." said Burns. "I already have an amendment attached to agriculture appropriations that covers 2005 crop and livestock losses, and this year's devastating fire season in Montana shows the need to expand that for 2006 as well. I've asked the Senate leadership to bring the agriculture appropriations bill to the floor so we can add this important help for producers and I'll keep searching for appropriate vehicles for drought, fire and other agricultural disaster needs."

Republicans and democrats in the Senate have been pushing a package to help farmers and ranchers weather a devastating drought that has set records in many parts of the country.

The Congressional Budget Office estimates the price of the legislation, which covers a variety of disaster needs nationally, to be more than $6 billion.
Staff contact: Fran Boyd, 202-484-7134

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