Max Baucus: “Thank you, Mr. President. I speak today on a matter that touches the lives of every single Montanan. We have experienced…”

“Thank you, Mr. President. I speak today on a matter that touches the lives of every single Montanan. We have experienced 4 years straight in a row of ongoing drought conditions. I rise today not to oppose the farm bill conference--I support it-- but, rather, to express my extreme disappointment that a natural disaster assistance provision which would provide real help to American family farmers suffering from drought is not included in the conference report. Not too long ago, I, along with Senator Enzi, offered a bipartisan amendment to the Senate farm bill that passed by an overwhelming 69 votes. That amendment provided funding for the Crop Disaster Program and for the Livestock Assistance Program. This is not an idle matter. There are some from some States in the country who may not appreciate the gravity of the situation we face in the West. It is severe. Our Nation's agricultural producers are holding their breath, particularly in my State of Montana.”