An amendment to the supplemental appropriations bill offered by Sen. Michael Enzi (R-WY) was adopted last night, providing another $70 million in assistance to livestock producers.  The extra money brings to $270 million the amount in the Senate bill for livestock assistance.  The House bill does not include livestock assistance.

The problem, Enzi says, is that ranchers have qualified for more than $800 million in emergency aid, with 325 applications just from Wyoming.  The $200 million would pay ranchers only 25 cents for each dollar for which they qualify because of insufficient funds in the program.

Enzi says the $70 million he wants added increases the level of assistance to one-third of losses, a proportion similar to what all other agricultural disaster program participants receive.

Once the House approves its version of the supplemental spending bill, staff members will conference the two bills during the April recess.  A full conference committee composed of Senate and House members will consider a final version after the recess.