Moran Brings Together Republicans and Democrats to Call for Disaster Assistance

Urges Administration, Leadership to Support America's Farmers and Ranchers

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman Jerry Moran today asked for the support of the Administration and House leadership in coming to the aid of America's farmers and ranchers. In a bipartisan event in the nation's capitol, Moran and members of Congress from both parties, along with several agricultural organizations, joined together to pledge their support and continue their efforts.  

"Farmers, ranchers and rural communities are suffering, not only in Kansas, but throughout America's Heartland," Moran said. "I am pleased with the broad group of members who joined together today and are pushing to get disaster assistance passed. Convincing those in House leadership and down at the White House that disaster assistance is a necessity has been a difficult task, but we are still working hard and doing everything we can. When farmers and ranchers suffer, so does every small town in America."

Many producers in Kansas are experiencing the effects of a mulit-year drought - some areas in its fifth and sixth years. Last year, all but four counties in Kansas were declared disaster areas. While 2005 was a very difficult year, the situation in 2006 is shaping up to be much worse. The 2006 Kansas wheat crop was one of the worst in a decade and many of the fall crop production estimates are predicted to be drastically less than last year's production levels. In addition, ranchers continue to experience forage shortfalls that are forcing herd liquidations.

Joining him were Senator John Thune (SD) and Representatives Tom Osborne (NE), Henry Bonilla (TX), Jo Ann Emerson (MO), Randy Neugebauer (TX), Michael Conaway (TX), Frank Lucas (OK), Mark Kennedy (MN), Jim Ryun (KS), Marilyn Musgrave (CO), John Salazar (CO), Earl Pomeroy (ND) and Stephanie Herseth (SD). Agricultural organizations included representatives from the Kansas Association of Wheat Growers, National Association of Wheat Growers, Kansas Farmers Union, National Farmers Union, National Farm Bureau Association, National Grain Sorghum Producers, National Soybean Association, National Corn Growers Association, National Cattlemen's Beef Association and R-CALF.

Moran is a senior member of the House Committee on Agriculture.

###