Washington, DC —
Senator John Thune (R-SD) today expressed disappointment that the Katrina relief package passed by the U.S. House of Representatives and soon to be voted on in the Senate, did not include agriculture disaster aid despite efforts by Senate Conferees to include it.
"This has been another difficult year for South Dakota's farmers and ranchers and the U.S. House of Representatives failed to recognize that by refusing to include agriculture disaster relief," Thune said. "In addition to the drought and inclement weather, farmers and ranchers are coping with rising energy costs. Our nation's food supply depends on these producers and failing to provide necessary relief is unacceptable."
Senate Conferees on the Defense Appropriations Conference Committee tried to include agriculture disaster relief to the Hurricane Katrina relief portion of the bill, but were blocked by House Conferees.
"This has been another difficult year for South Dakota's farmers and ranchers and the U.S. House of Representatives failed to recognize that by refusing to include agriculture disaster relief," Thune said. "In addition to the drought and inclement weather, farmers and ranchers are coping with rising energy costs. Our nation's food supply depends on these producers and failing to provide necessary relief is unacceptable."
Senate Conferees on the Defense Appropriations Conference Committee tried to include agriculture disaster relief to the Hurricane Katrina relief portion of the bill, but were blocked by House Conferees.