Rod Grams: “I want to today offer my support and cosponsorship of the Dorgan amendment providing additional disaster assistance to…”

“I want to today offer my support and cosponsorship of the Dorgan amendment providing additional disaster assistance to producers hit hard by floods, drought, and other severe storms that have resulted in crop destruction and disease. In Minnesota, floods in the northwest and southern portions of the state have devastated many farmers causing some crops to rot in the field. This is yet another hit for the struggling Minnesota farm economy. Portions of my state have faced heavy rains and flooding for several years now, and things aren't getting any easier for these hardworking farmers also hit with low prices. In northwest Minnesota, FSA estimates that nearly 50 percent of the acreage has been affected by floods. In nine counties in Minnesota, there have been nearly 1.2 million acres affected. In Mahnomen county, 100 percent of the acreage has been impacted by floods. FEMA funding and disaster assistance under the Small Business Administration and other programs do not provide these farmers the help they need. If we are willing to help farmers who are suffering from falling prices, as we have already done this year through supplemental spending, we should also come to the aid of those suffering from natural disaster, as we do on a routine basis each year as we experience such disasters. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this important amendment.”