Pushes for Passage of Agriculture Disaster Assistance Legislation
Washington, DC (September 27, 2006) – Today, Congressman Rubén Hinojosa (TX-15) urged Speaker Dennis Hastert to bring to the floor legislation that would provide America’s farmers and ranchers with agriculture disaster relief. Hinojosa signed onto a discharge petition (H.R. 5099) that would require the House of Representatives to consider agriculture disaster assistance once a majority of Congress has signed it.
“Throughout America, and most certainly in South and Central Texas, farmers and ranchers have endured the devastating effects of floods, droughts, and wild fires that have decimated crops and livestock,” said Hinojosa. “For months, we have been pushing for an increase to disaster and drought assistance, but these efforts have been blocked. Farming and ranching are the engines driving our economy and now is the time to debate legislation that is comprehensive and will directly address the losses suffered from natural disasters.”
In 2005, 80 percent of all U.S. counties were declared primary or contiguous disaster areas by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, while 70 percent have already been declared disaster areas in 2006. This effort would provide emergency production loss and economic loss assistance for crops and livestock in 2005 and 2006.
A multi-year drought throughout several parts of Texas has resulted in losses totaling more than $1 billion. Already, 2006 has seen one of the worst droughts on record resulting in crop losses of $2.5 billion, and $1.6 billion in livestock losses. Cotton losses alone amount to $1 billion; and the smallest wheat crops were harvested since 1925 and production was its lowest since 1971.
“Our rural communities need a new direction that provides them with the resources they need to get back on their feet after two seasons of natural disasters,” continued Hinojosa. “It is my hope that we will take action on this now, and not wait until after the elections. Providing this assistance makes sense and will strengthen rural communities and our nation’s economy.”
The discharge petition has the support of the National Farmers Union, the American Farm Bureau Federation, and more than 30 other farm organizations.