Agricultural News
Congressman Lucas Wonders if White House Can Push Through Ag Disaster Request of Blanche Lincoln
Mon, 09 Aug 2010 8:58:05 CDT
As we reported last week- The White House has promised Arkansas Senator Blanche Lincoln that they can move money around and come up with $1.5 billion in disaster aid that will include 210 million dollars for Arkansas farmers- money that could arrive just days ahead of the November general elections.
Oklahoma Congressman Frank Lucas, the ranking minority member of the House Ag Committee, says that he agrees with the Chairman of the House Ag Committee, Colin Peterson of Minnesota, that there is no way for them administratively to move this amount of money around within USDA without major problems. He calls it a reaction to Senator Lincoln in dire need of help to win reelection this fall in Arkansas. At the same time, he adds that if the White House forces this through- it will provide some much needed help for Oklahoma farmers because of a variety of weather related disasters from the last couple of years.
Besides the Ag Disaster package, we also talked about the move by Senator Lincoln and Senator Chambliss to block EPA from requiring permits for every pesticide application that might land somewhere close to the "waters of the US." Lucas praises the Senators for what he calls a shot across the bow with this bill- and adds it might gain traction, depending on how extensive of a lame duck session is promoted by the Democratic leadership.
We also discussed the billions being voted on tomorrow in the US House, as the Speaker calls an unusual session in the middle of the August recess to get this help for state employees and teachers that finally cleared the US Senate.
Click on the LISTEN BAR below to listen to our Monday morning conversation with Republican Congressman Frank Lucas.
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