News Releases for April 2002
April 19, 2002
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Hoeven Urges White House To Push Farm Bill, Fund Emergency Disaster Assistance
BISMARCK, N.D. - Governor John Hoeven today said he has spoken several times this week with President Bush’s chief agriculture advisor, Chuck Conner, to urge that the White House push the House-Senate conference committee for prompt passage of the 2002 farm bill. Swift action is necessary to make sure full funding is available in time for this year’s growing season, according to Hoeven.
The Governor also urged the Administration to fund an additional $2.5 billion emergency disaster assistance package for crop losses due to drought and disease in 2001. In addition to his talks with Conner, Hoeven has recently met with key conference committee staff members to generate ideas for a compromise and move the process forward.
“The committee needs to continue moving toward middle ground, and the White House needs to push them,” Hoeven said. “We’re already past mid-April, and North Dakota farmers need a farm bill now. Not reaching a compromise could put full funding for the farm program in jeopardy.”
Conferees met in private throughout the weekend and during the early part of the week to hammer out the more difficult features of the bill. The discussions were discontinued Wednesday morning, but resumed Thursday and continued into Thursday night.
Today, Hoeven - who has actively worked with Congress and the Bush Administration to secure funding for a bill with a long-term safety net and a counter cyclical support mechanism - said that he was pleased that a consensus bill appeared to be taking shape; however, he said he regrets that talks have been start and go for weeks.
“It is imperative that the committee complete its work sooner rather than later, so that the President can sign the bill by the end of the month in time for this summer’s growing season,” Hoeven said.
Throughout the negotiations, Hoeven has urged the House and Senate to meet in the middle. The Governor has suggested raising the House proposed loan rates to a level closer to the Senate’s level. Hoeven has also suggested that the fixed payments, which are part of both bills, be made available throughout the term of the farm bill.
“It is too late for either party to dig its heels in,” Hoeven said. “We have an opportunity to pass solid farm legislation and both sides need to seize that opportunity."
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