News Releases for September 2004
September 28, 2004
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Hoeven Presses Congress, White House For Disaster Aid
Governor Meets In Washington, D.C. With Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist
BISMARCK, N.D. - Gov. John Hoeven today personally delivered a letter to Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist urging him and House Speaker Dennis Hastert to retain $3 billion in funding for agriculture disaster aid in the Senate’s Homeland Security Appropriation bill. Hoeven’s letter was cosigned by Gov. Tim Pawlenty of Minnesota, Gov. Mike Rounds of South Dakota and Gov. Mike Johanns of Nebraska.
The Governor also met with Sen. Trent Lott of Mississippi and Senate Majority Whip Mitch McConnell of Kentucky to press for their support for the legislation, which is scheduled for conference committee this week.
In addition, the Governor spoke with Chuck Conner, special agriculture advisor to the President, and asked the administration to support the legislation, which will fund programs like the Crop Disaster Loss Program and the Livestock Assistance Program.
“With drought, flooding and early frost statewide, it’s critical that we secure assistance to help our farmers and ranchers,” Hoeven said. “The negative effects of crop losses have rippled across North Dakota and surrounding states, and we must do all we can to minimize the impact on our producers.”
In a separate action, Hoeven joined other governors in the Western Governors’ Association in sending a letter to the chairs and ranking members of House and Senate subcommittees considering agriculture disaster legislation. The letter urges the committee members to support the National Drought Preparedness Act in conference committee.
The association letter was sent to Sen. Thad Cochran, chairman, and Sen. Robert Byrd, ranking member, of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security. It was also addressed to Rep. Harold Rogers, chairman, and Rep. Martin Sabo, ranking member, of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security.
“Our farmers and ranchers have been severely impacted this year by frost and drought,” Hoeven said. “I believe we’re close to getting this important assistance for our producers, and we’re going to do everything we can to make it happen for them.”
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