Angie Craig: “I rise in support of the FY2001 Agriculture Appropriations bill. First I would like to thank Chairman Cochran and…”

“I rise in support of the FY2001 Agriculture Appropriations bill. First I would like to thank Chairman Cochran and Senator Kohl for the hard work they have put into the Fiscal Year 2001 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill. It is a challenging process, and they have done an excellent job balancing competing interests. While I don't agree with everything in this bill, I believe this bill provides vital funding for several programs in my state and across the nation. This conference report includes much needed emergency spending to deal with the fires and drought in the West. As you all know, the West was hit hard this year by wild fires. In Idaho alone over 1.2 million acres were burned. I visited a ranch where, within a couple of hours time period, a fire had destroyed the rancher's business. Of this rancher's 800 head of cattle, close to 600 were killed or had to be destroyed because they were so badly burned. I think this is an emergency, and it is only right that Congress provide funding to assist producers who have been impacted by such a natural disaster. That is why I support the livestock indemnity payments included in this conference report.”