|
U.S.
Senator Member of the Agriculture, Energy and Veterans Affairs
Committees |
|
|
||
For Immediate
Release September 20, 2005 |
CONTACT: Cody Wertz – Press Secretary 202-228-3630 Jen Clanahan – Deputy Press Secretary 303-455-7600 |
|
Sen. Salazar Elevates Congress’ Focus on Rural America – Spotlights Impacts of Pine Beetles & Extreme Gas Prices on Rural Communities in Colorado WASHINGTON, D.C. – With Pine Beetle infestations and extreme gas prices wreaking havoc on the economies of Colorado’s rural communities, United States Senator Ken Salazar successfully added two amendments to the Agriculture Appropriations bill which passed earlier today. Senator Salazar’s amendments re-focus the federal government’s attention on these two critical issues directly impacting the lives of rural Coloradans. “Rural Colorado, from mountain tourist towns to farming communities on the plains, are already suffering from drought, economic losses due to natural disaster and rising fuel costs,” said Sen. Salazar. “Our Nation cannot function without the important contributions that our farmers, ranchers and rural communities provide,” said Senator Salazar. Senator Salazar included a Bark (Pine) Beetle Study amendment (SA 1755), which will require USDA to make combating pine and other bark beetle infestations a top priority. USDA will be required to present to Congress an action plan for combating bark beetle infestations and outline the necessary technical and financial resources to combat bark beetles and its plans to coordinate these efforts with state and local officials.
Senator Salazar also added a Rural Fuel Prices Study amendment (SA 1754), which will require the USDA to report to Congress the effects of the current near-record gas, natural gas and diesel prices on farmers, ranchers and rural communities.
“I am pleased this bill, as passed today, now includes my amendment to require the Secretary of Agriculture to work with the Secretary of Energy to produce a comprehensive report on the impact of high gas prices on our farmers, ranchers and rural communities across the country,” said Salazar. “That data is the first step toward a comprehensive solution to helping these communities address these terrible prices.” Having been passed by the
full Senate, the FY06 Agriculture Appropriations bill (H.R. 2744) will
now proceed to conference committee to iron out differences between
House and Senate versions. The compromise conference report will then
be voted upon a second time by both the House and Senate. If the House
and Senate both approve the conference report, it will go on to the
President’s desk for signature or veto. # # # |
||