Grassley More Confident Lawmakers Will Clear Farmer Aid

Congress continues to debate what kind of financial relief should be made available for farmers that has suffered losses because of Mother Nature.  House legislation is expected to have more aid for hurricane-ravaged Puerto Rico, the earlier legislative roadblock, plus new disaster aid eligibility for Midwest flood losses.  The USDA could see new authority to spend unused funds for storms and wildfires as recent as this year.

But, the sticking point, was Puerto Rico.  Democrats say the island was being short changed by the Senate Republic proposal put forth earlier this year.

“I did have this sort of briefing yesterday, from my staff, based upon (a) briefing they had, from, under the Republican Leader’s office," said Iowa Republican Senator Chuck Grassley.  "That there was some negotiations going on over the weekend, and there was some progress made.”

Top Senate Appropriations Democrat Patrick Leahy said of the new GOP offer—“We’re a lot closer.”  Grassley added more aid can come later, as damage estimates are totaled.

“Still going to have to have more money.  I have not had any time in the 38-years I’ve been in the Senate, that the federal government hasn’t eventually met its responsibilities, that it assumed, maybe decades ago, to be an insurer of last resort.”

President Trump has not taken a position on the latest proposals.  The House could pass its bill as soon as Friday.

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