May 14, 1999

Despite a setback in the supplemental appropriations bill conference committee, Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA) vows to continue his fight to get more money for farmers. A 14-14 vote Thursday doomed Harkin's rescue package, worth about $5 billion. Sen. Conrad Burns (R-MT) was the only Republican to vote for the amendment.

Harkin wasted no time laying blame for the failure. "The Republicans have again turned their backs on farm families and rural communities," he said. "Every day more and more farm families are losing their livelihoods and life savings because the 1996 farm bill has failed. This amendment would have provided urgently needed assistance to farmers."

The bill would have provided $1.5 billion for additional disaster aid and $2.8 billion in income supports through the freedom to farm payment program. Additional assistance would have gone to dairy, cotton and livestock producers. The livestock portion included $250 million for feed assistance.

But "the fight isn't over," Harkin said. "The lack of one more Republican vote blocked emergency assistance from reaching our farmers. I will continue to fight for critically needed economic assistance to farm families and the rural economy."

The conference committee did accept about $771 million in immediate funds, including $250 million for livestock producers, $110 million for the agricultural credit insurance fund, $2 million for rural housing insurance, $30 million for the rural community advancement program, $153 million to enhance markets, $25 million for migrant workers, $30 million for the emergency conservation program, $100 million for emergency watershed and flood operations, $41.3 million for administration of disaster loans and $28 million for conservation technical assistance.

Although Congressional leaders had earlier hoped to send the bill to President Clinton this week, wrangling over items like loans for the steel industry brought additional delays. The spending package got final approval by House-Senate conferees, but will still need separate votes in each chamber early next week.

Sen. Conrad Burns (R-MT), the only Republican to vote in favor of Harkin's amendment, said the "good news" is that Congress has a budget that includes $6 billion for farmers and ranchers.