Bismarck Tribune - Bismarck News - Hoeven, North Dakota congressional delegation say proffered drought aid not enough

Hoeven, North Dakota congressional delegation say proffered drought aid not enough

Aug 30, 2006 - 10:23:45 CDT

By the Associated Press

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — The U.S. Agriculture Department's offer of almost $800 million in drought aid is too small, Gov. John Hoeven and the state's congressional delegation said. They promised a renewed push for a federal drought disaster bill.

   Hoeven accompanied Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns Tuesday on a visit to a drought-stricken South Dakota ranch about 40 miles west of Pierre, S.D., which the governor said reminded him of bone-dry country in southwestern and south-central North Dakota.

   "This is a start. It will provide some help. But we need to continue to work at it, and do more,'' the Republican governor said. ``We need a disaster bill, and we're going to continue to push for it.''

   A healthy chunk of the aid is earmarked for growers of peanuts, sorghum and cotton, which are not prominent crops in North Dakota, Hoeven said.

   Rep. Earl Pomeroy, D-N.D., said he hoped the aid proposal would lead to negotiations for a more sweeping relief package. Earlier, a $4 billion disaster aid measure was dropped in Congress in the face of opposition from President Bush and House Republicans.

   ``Looking optimistically, this represents, maybe, an opening gambit,'' Pomeroy said. ``They ... acknowledge the disaster, and we begin to talk about how we build a response. What I fear, on the other hand, is they come to South Dakota, they pretend to do something meaningful ... and that's their final offer.''

   For North Dakota, the proposal includes $1.38 million to help rehabilitate grazing land, and $411,000 that can be used to help provide emergency water supplies for livestock, Hoeven said.

   The USDA package includes $50 million in block grants to states to aid livestock producers affected by severe drought from March 7 through Aug. 31.

   Johanns said farmers and ranchers in at least 27 of North Dakota's 53 counties would be eligible for payments of up to $10,000. Hoeven said the plan's benefits to North Dakota were still being calculated.

   Sens. Kent Conrad, D-N.D., and Byron Dorgan, D-N.D., said Johanns' initiative was inadequate.

   ``This disaster aid doesn't even come close to meeting the needs of rural America,'' Conrad said, comparing it to ``giving a Band-Aid to someone who has lost a limb.''

   Dorgan said most of the aid represents only a speed-up of payments farmers are scheduled to get anyway, with no added funds.

   ``I'm pleased they are finally acknowledging farmers and ranchers need help,'' Dorgan said. ``But given the size and severity of the drought, the amount of money Secretary Johanns is talking about is going to leave many farmers, and entire counties, without any help at all.''

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Comments

Barney wrote on Aug 30, 2006 2:14 PM:

" Oops - the statement about Hoeven is from the 2000 election, not 2002 "

Barney wrote on Aug 30, 2006 11:48 AM:

" Boo Hoo Hoo - for the Dems its never enough money and Hoeven is beginning to act more like a Dem that a Republican (a statement that goes back to the 2002 election). Here is some info for Team ND --- Use your power and clout you claim to have and get legislation passed with enough votes to override a potential Presidential veto. You claim all this power we will lose if we you don't get reelected, well lets see it. You can only blame the President so much for your failures and I for one am tired of you blaming the President for your failure to get legislation passed. Perhaps this clout, seniority, power is not there at all and is a political ploy to keep you job. Heck with all the power you guys claim you have you should be able to convince 100% of the House and Senate to pass any bill you want. Your failure to garner enough votes for your bills is not the failure of the President its the failure of each of you to live up to what you promised the people of ND when you lie about your power. "

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