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The American Farm Bureau and a coalition of 30 other farm organizations are lobbying the U.S. House to move expeditiously with consideration and passage of emergency disaster assistance for farmers. Citing widespread damage from drought and other disasters, the farm organizations are pressing their case with all members of the House.

In a letter to representatives, the farm groups complimented the Senate’s 79 to 16 bipartisan vote which provides emergency funding to partially offset production losses and increased feed costs as a result of natural disasters. Under the Senate plan, assistance would be available to all eligible crop and livestock producers, including specialty crop producers, in counties designated disaster areas by the administration for 2001 and 2002 in a manner consistent with the assistance programs used in prior production years.

In a message separate from the coalition letter to Congress, AFBF President Bob Stallman addressed the issue of funding for the disaster aid. Stallman said, "Congress needs to help farm and ranch families without diverting funds from much needed farm bill programs. The recently enacted farm bill does not help farmers with weather disaster. Government has always stepped up to help farmers and ranchers, and the general population, make it through problems with weather. Nonfarmers have experienced tornadoes, hurricanes and other types of severe weather and the government has helped them recover. This year, we expect similar wisdom and compassion from our elected leaders for farmers and ranchers."