Moran Asks House Appropriators to Include Disaster Assistance in Emergency Spending Bill
Moran Asks House Appropriators to Include Disaster Assistance in Emergency Spending Bill
Congressman Jerry Moran today asked leaders on the House Appropriations Committee to include agriculture disaster assistance as part of emergency supplemental legislation currently working its way through the House. This is Moran's third attempt this year to obtain assistance for farmers and ranchers suffering from natural disasters. Moran asked House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to address this issue in her First 100 Hours agenda. Last month, he attempted to offer his amendment to the spending legislation that funds the federal government for 2007.
"Despite widespread support for agriculture disaster assistance, we have yet to act on this important legislation," Moran said. "Many producers may never have the opportunity to continue their operations because of severe weather-related losses. I will continue fighting to make sure the needs of our farmers and ranchers are not forgotten in Congress."
Farmers and ranchers in Kansas and across the country suffered billions of dollars in economic losses in crop years 2005 and 2006 as a result of adverse growing conditions and natural disasters. More recently, many producers experienced losses in 2007 due to winter storms in the High Plains. These losses were either not covered by crop insurance or were not adequately addressed by available crop insurance policies. The lack of adequate insurance coverage, when coupled with the dramatic increase in costs of production, has made it difficult for Kansans to remain in the business of production agriculture.
Moran also pledged his support and willingness to work with Members of the House to deliver a bill that targets assistance to only those farmers with actual losses in order to responsibly use taxpayer money. He is a senior member of the House Agriculture Committee.
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