Kent Conrad: “those who are in opposition to providing disaster assistance to our Nation's farmers and ranchers who have been hit by…”

“those who are in opposition to providing disaster assistance to our Nation's farmers and ranchers who have been hit by disaster have said it will cost money. Of course, that is true. It will cost money, over $5 billion, to provide disaster assistance. It is something we have always done. It is something we should do now. More than that, the Congressional Budget Office informed me yesterday that there will be savings from the farm bill of $5.6 billion. Let me repeat that: The CBO informed me in a letter yesterday there will be $5.6 billion of savings from the farm bill. That is not a direct offset for this disaster assistance. I urge my colleagues to keep in mind when we are looking at overall spending that it will be about a wash. There are savings from the farm bill because production is down. That means prices are higher than anticipated, meaning costs under the farm bill will be less by $5.6 billion. That approximately pays for the disaster package. If anyone wonders whether it is really needed, I urge them to visit southwestern North Dakota, which has become like a moonscape. In running a food bank in northern South Dakota, a Presbyterian minister reported that the wives of ranchers are coming in asking for food and they are very concerned that their husbands not find out because they are proud. They do not want public assistance, but they desperately need it. Now is the time. Please help. We always have in the past.”