Press Release-Kennedy Offers Disaster Assistance Plan to Help Minnesota s Farmers and Ranchers

Washington, D.C.-Congressman Mark Kennedy sent a letter to Secretary of Agriculture Michael Johanns today outlining several new ideas that could be used to help get emergency disaster assistance to farmers and ranchers in Minnesota, including identifying over $1 billion in funding that could be freed up through potential offsets in this year s House Agriculture Appropriations bill.

"In light of Congress inability to work together in a bipartisan manner to pass disaster relief before recessing," Kennedy wrote. "I ask for your assistance in delivering immediate relief to Minnesota farmers until Congress returns in November."

In the letter, Kennedy pinpoints over 40 potential offsets from the Agriculture Appropriations bill the House passed in June that could be used to free up funding for emergency disaster assistance without impacting any current farm programs or reopening the farm bill. Each of the potential offsets on the list could be achieved without reducing that account s funding below its FY06 enacted or FY07 Administration budget proposed levels.

"Considering some of these proposed offsets would offer a temporary solution until Congress can act on a package of comprehensive relief," Kennedy wrote. "There are tough choices to be made, but farmers in Minnesota have waited long enough."

In September, Kennedy joined a bi-partisan, bi-cameral group of Members of Congress, including Senator John Thune (R-SD), Rep. Earl Pomeroy (D-ND), Rep. Stephanie Herseth (D-SD), Rep. Jerry Moran (R-KS), and Rep. Tom Osborne (R-NE), to demand that Congress pass emergency disaster assistance for America s drought stricken farmers and ranchers.

Kennedy had previously sent four letters, three to House leadership and one to Secretary Johanns, urging that sufficient disaster assistance be provided to farmers and ranchers in Minnesota who have been feeling the heavy burden of drought or flood-related economic losses.