Byron Dorgan: “If I might inquire on that point. I thank very much the majority leader for his indulgence. My understanding is the…”

“If I might inquire on that point. I thank very much the majority leader for his indulgence. My understanding is the proposed $2 billion to restore FEMA money needs to be acted on quickly. I understand that. I think everyone would want to cooperate with the majority leader on that point. The majority leader indicated that the White House would intend then to send down a second request. The reason I am asking a question about that is this. There are, as the Senator knows, other areas of the country that have suffered substantial weather-related disasters. In North Dakota, for example, 1.7 million acres could not even be planted in farmland this year, so we have some farmers in pretty tough shape. It is not only North Dakota, but Minnesota, Montana, and other parts of the area. There are some drought-stricken areas out West as well. Some of us would want to include some help for those producers. I don't think we would want to interrupt what is going on today. The Senator is absolutely correct, we need to move quickly to respond. But, Senator Frist, you indicated the second request may well be put on a Homeland Security appropriations bill. Yet I know there is a unanimous consent request being offered today, or at least one that is being talked about, that would preclude amendments to that that would not be about Homeland Security. How would we get an emergency or disaster piece on that bill?”