Earl Pomeroy: “I represent farm families in desperate need of the disaster assistance in this bill, and that is why I am so offended by…”

“I represent farm families in desperate need of the disaster assistance in this bill, and that is why I am so offended by this Statement of Administration Policy threatening veto on this bill. Consider some of the words in the veto threat of the President: "The farm economy is strong. Both crop and livestock receipts are forecast to be record high in 2007." You know, I don't think they get it. National numbers. National averages. These are of no value whatsoever to the individual farm family that gets wiped out in a disaster. Most of the country on Labor Day of 2005 had a perfectly delightful Labor Day weekend. But part of the country got hammered to bits with Hurricane Katrina. I represent people living more than 1,000 miles from there, but we think we need to help those people. When it comes to the North Dakota farmers, who have been devastated, well, they need our help too. These are natural disasters certified by the President. Take a look at this corn. You've heard of "knee high by the 4th of July"? Well, this was taken in early July. When the wind starts blowing, the temperature soars and the rain stops and the drought takes hold, the families' income goes away. Family farmers lose their crops. Family farmers forced to sell their cattle. Family farmers lose their income. And without our help, without our help tonight, family farmers are going to lose their farms.”