$8.7 Billion in Farm Aid OKd
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WASHINGTON — The Senate gave final approval Wednesday to a record $8.7-billion package of emergency farm assistance, the second big bailout in as many years for producers clobbered by low commodity prices, drought and flooding.
“Prices have collapsed, farmers are in desperate trouble and there must be a government response,” said Sen. Kent Conrad (D-N.D.). Sen. Thad Cochran (R-Miss.) said it was “a generous response to the needs in agriculture.”
The Senate’s 74-26 vote sends the package to President Clinton for his expected signature.
The size of this year’s bailout, nearly $3 billion more than what Congress approved a year ago, is raising questions about the future of the government’s market-oriented farm policy. And lawmakers may not be through doling out money to farmers this year.
Congressional leaders are considering additional assistance for producers whose farms were washed out last month by Hurricane Floyd.
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