Kent Conrad: “Dear Chairman Domenici and Senator Conrad: We request that at least $10 billion in emergency economic assistance for…”

“Dear Chairman Domenici and Senator Conrad: We request that at least $10 billion in emergency economic assistance for agriculture for the 2001 crop year be included in the fiscal year 2002 budget resolution. We also ask that the budget resolution contain an increase in the annual baseline spending for agriculture for subsequent crop years by at least $12 billion over fiscal years 2002-2011. Economic forecasts for agriculture remain bleak for the 2001 growing season and beyond due to the continuation of collapsed commodity prices, while input costs--most notably fuel and fertilizer--skyrocket. We believe that Congress must continue to support agriculture in order to prevent massive farm failures, which would cripple rural America's economy and could further dampen the general economy.”