THE DEMOCRATICALLY CONTROLLED SENATE HANGS OUT THE AMERICAN FARMER TO WITHER IN THE WORST DROUGHT IN YEARS, RESULTING IN OUR HIGHER FUTURE FOOD PRICES- AT WHAT POINT DOES THE ACTIONS OF THE LEFT MAKE YOU WANT TO RETHINK DOING THE SAME OL' VOTING ROUTINE- SHOULD THERE NOT BE A CHANGE IN WASHINGTON ???? AT ALL LEVELS????

Senate Abandons Struggling Farmers
Friday, 03 Aug 2012 12:04 PM
By Paul Scicchitano



With half of the country scorched by** the worst drought in almost a half-century**, >>>>>>> >>Senate Democrats bolted out of the Capitol for five weeks of vacation after failing to act on a GOP-led House measure to revive expired disaster relief programs for cattle and sheep farmers.

The>> House bill, which won narrow approval <<on Thursday, was> intended to help cattle and sheep farmers who have seen the price of feed soar because of drought damage to corn and other crops.

But the>> Senate, >>controlled by Democrats, >>sidestepped action on the bill, saying that it was insufficient and that the House should instead consider a comprehensive five-year farm policy bill that the Senate passed in June.

The bottom line for America’s ailing farmers was another dry forecast as the Senate seemed intent on sending a message to the lower chamber.

The 223-197 vote to revive expired disaster relief programs for cattle and sheep producers was one of the House's last actions before lawmakers left for their five-week August recess.

>>The Senate was not acting on the bill as it wrapped up its pre-recess work, and Democrats attempted to characterize the legislation as cover for Republicans having to explain to rural constituents why they put off action on a comprehensive five-year farm policy bill.

While many crop farmers have insurance that provides some protection from the effects of the worst drought in a quarter-century,** livestock producers are vulnerable to sharp increases in feed prices resulting from the dry weather.

Some have had to liquidate stocks early because of the high maintenance costs.
The bill would restore four disaster aid programs, mostly for livestock producers and tree farmers, that expired last year. The estimated cost,$383 million, would be paid for by shaving some $630 million from two conservation programs. The disaster programs would be restored for the 2012 budget year.

While there was little dispute over the difficult straits of the livestock industry, there was opposition to the bill from environmental groups disturbed by the cuts to the conservation programs, anti-tax groups who saw the bill as another government bailout and agriculture groups who have been pushing the House to vote on a five-year farm bill that, in addition to making fundamental changes in agriculture safety nets, would restore the disaster relief programs. The current long-term farm bill expires at the end of September.

The top Democrat on the House Agriculture Committee, Rep. Collin Peterson of Minnesota, said that while he would vote for the disaster relief measure, "this bill is a sad substitute for what is really needed, a long-term farm policy."

He said that while the legislation would help cattle and sheep farmers, "dairy and specialty crop producers will be left hurting and there is no assistance for pork and poultry producers."

LEAVING ALL AMERICAN FARMERS TO WITHER AND DIE-RESULTING IN HIGHER FOOD PRICES FOR ALL OF US. LESSENING THE VALUE OF YOUR FOOD STAMPS, ASSISTANCE.