Moran Announces $40 Million for Greensburg, Disaster Assistance for Kansas Farmers and Ranchers

Press Release

Moran Announces $40 Million for Greensburg, Disaster Assistance for Kansas Farmers and Ranchers

Congressman Jerry Moran today announced House passage of comprehensive legislation to provide $40 million in disaster relief funding for Greensburg and other counties recovering from severe storms that swept through the state earlier this month, as well as agriculture disaster assistance for Kansas farmers and ranchers. This legislation is expected to be passed by the U.S. Senate tomorrow and has approval for the President's signature.

"Disasters are nothing new to Kansans," Moran said. "From drought and severe winter storms to a late spring freeze, tornadoes and flooding, Kansans have seen it all in the past two years. Despite the ups and downs, Kansans are cleaning up and rebuilding and farmers are continuing to work the land. What is important is that the recent efforts by the Kansas delegation and the vote today by the U.S. House show that Kansans are not alone in their efforts."

The $40 million in disaster relief funding is designated for recovery efforts in Greensburg and Kiowa County, as well as other Kansas counties that have been declared federal disaster areas by the President. The funding will be administered through the Department of Agriculture and is in addition to assistance that is already available through the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

The legislation also included agriculture disaster assistance for Kansas farmers and ranchers that covers crop losses for years 2005 and 2006, as well as for crops planted through February 28, 2007. Similar versions of disaster assistance legislation have previously passed the House, but this bill is unique in that it has the approval of the President.

"It has been an uphill battle for our Kansas farmers and ranchers," Moran said. "While this is good news and will provide much needed relief, our efforts were limited due to budgetary constraints and producers will only be compensated for a portion of losses in one of the three years."

Moran is a senior member of the House Agriculture Committee.

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