FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 23, 1998
CONTACT: Dana Hagerty 202/225-2165
WASHINGTON, DC – "I am pleased that the Administration is making farm relief for Northwest Minnesota and North Dakota a priority," said Congressman Collin C. Peterson (DFL-7th District) today, "but I am concerned about getting something done before the August recess."
President Clinton and Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman will meet today with several Democratic Members of Congress to talk about the Federal response to ongoing agriculture disasters in our area. Peterson will attend that meeting.
"I've been working on this for a long time. I have introduced a bill with Congressman Pomeroy which we felt addressed the problem, but we had trouble getting support because it was a regional issue," Peterson said. "However, things have been looking up. After meeting with the President last week, he mentioned our problem in his Saturday radio address. After today's meeting, the President and the Agriculture Secretary will conduct another radio address calling national attention to our plight. This is a huge help, but the battle is far from over.
"Fortunately, there has been movement in the Senate. They included $500 million for disaster aid in the Agriculture Appropriations bill, but that wasn't included in the bill passed by the House, so it will have to be dealt with in conference," Peterson said. "The House Republican Leadership has indicated they would support inclusion of the $500 million in conference, which is good news, but that they may not take this up before the August recess. That would be unacceptable.
"We need this done now," Peterson continued. "This is a crisis that needs immediate attention and the Republic Leadership needs to take action on completing the conference before the August break. Otherwise, there will be no action until later this Fall. Our farmers can't wait that long."
Peterson is the chief author of the House disaster bill for the region. The bill, H.R. 3678, would raise the marketing loan rate and extend the marketing loan term, both of which were defeated by the Senate and are opposed by the Republican Leadership in the House. The bill would also provide a variety of changes to the federal crop insurance program. However, USDA and the House Agriculture Committee are considering some of the changes proposed in the Peterson bill, as well as other proposals by Republicans for advancing AMPTA payments for farmers and encouraging more trade.
"In another positive development, the House Agriculture Committee has responded to our request for a hearing to be held on July 30th on the current state of agriculture and effects of the 1996 Farm Bill," Peterson added. "We will use this forum to once again educate the country about our problems."