Senator Cornyn on Drought Relief

WASHINGTON—U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, today wrote to Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, to inquire as to why the $3 billion in emergency drought relief funding, which was approved and signed into law more than one year ago as part of the 2008 Farm Bill, has yet to be released.

Thousands of Texas farmers, ranchers, and landowners are losing crops and animals to the current record temperatures and severe drought. As of today, the U.S. Drought Monitor indicated Texas has the most land in the worst stage of drought in nearly a decade.

“A prolonged and excessive heat wave is devastating farm families in central and south Texas this year. The U.S. Drought Monitor’s July 14 update indicates that the bulk of central and south Texas are experiencing Extreme and Exceptional drought—the two worst possible conditions,” said Sen. Cornyn. “The SURE disaster fund was signed into law as part of the Farm Bill over one year ago to provide upwards of $3 billion in assistance, yet farmers in many Texas counties are still waiting for word on the help they have been told they will qualify for. These producers have done all that USDA has asked of them in order to prove their dire conditions and confirm eligibility, and yet they wait for the SURE program to be finalized. It is imperative this important program is finalized as quickly as possible as Texas farmers and ranchers continue to wait for this badly needed assistance.”

–The full text of the letter is below–

July 16, 2009

The Honorable Tom Vilsack
Secretary
United States Department of Agriculture
1400 Independence Avenue, Southwest
Washington, DC 20250

Dear Secretary Vilsack:

I write concerning the delay in implementing much needed drought assistance. As you know, Congress enacted a standing disaster trust fund in the 2008 Farm Bill. The purpose of the Supplemental Revenue Assurance (SURE) program was to fill holes in our nation’s farm safety net—holes particularly noticeable during long periods of drought.

A prolonged and excessive heat wave is devastating farm families in central and south Texas this year. The U.S. Drought Monitor’s July 14 update indicates that the bulk of central and south Texas are experiencing Extreme and Exceptional drought—the two worst possible conditions. No other state is experiencing either condition this summer.

The SURE disaster fund was enacted over one year ago to provide upwards of $3 billion in assistance, yet farmers in many Texas counties are still waiting for word on the help they have been told they will qualify for. These producers have done all that the USDA has asked of them in order to prove their dire conditions and confirm eligibility, and yet they wait for the SURE program to be finalized.

I strongly urge you to finalize this important program soon, and I request an update on USDA’s progress thus far.

Sincerely,

JOHN CORNYN
United States Senator

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