Statements on Introduced Bills and Joint Resolutions

Floor Speech

STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS -- (Senate - June 27, 2007)

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Mr. THUNE. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce a bill that seeks to fix a potentially devastating mistake in the U.S. Troop Readiness, Veterans' Care, Katrina Recovery, and Iraq Accountability Appropriations Act of 2007, Public Law No. 110-28.

In May 2007, Congress passed H.R. 2206, which included much-needed disaster assistance for our Nation's farmers and ranchers. After much delay, it is critical that those producers impacted by natural disasters receive the assistance they need and deserve.

Over the past few years, drought conditions and other natural disasters have financially strained tens of thousands of agriculture producers across the country. Congress has responded to the needs of America's producers by enacting emergency disaster assistance for our farm and ranch families.

However, it has been brought to my attention that many livestock producers will likely be ineligible for assistance due to an unintended technicality. Congress clearly intended disaster assistance to be available to those producers most impacted by years of devastating weather conditions. This assistance includes livestock producer eligibility for Livestock Indemnity Payments and Livestock Compensation Program without participation in the Non-Insured Crop Disaster Assistance program, NAP, or Federal crop insurance pilot program as a prerequisite.

However, it is my understanding that the Department of Agriculture will interpret section 9012 of Public Law 110-28 as Congress intending that all livestock producers must have NAP or pilot crop insurance coverage in order to be eligible for disaster payments. If disaster benefits are limited to only those livestock producers with NAP or crop insurance coverage, the vast majority of livestock producers in drought-stricken regions will be ineligible for disaster assistance.

Only a small percentage of producers participated in the NAP program, which only paid $1 to $2 per acre. As a result, few grazing producers bought policies. It is not good policy to exclude producers from disaster assistance who chose not to participate in what many consider an ineffective program.

My legislation would strike section 9012 of Public Law 110-28, and ensure that those producers in need of assistance receive assistance in a timely manner.

It is my belief that both the Senate and the House of Representatives should pass my bill to ensure that livestock producers are able to qualify for the disaster assistance that President Bush signed into law earlier this year.

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