"Today's victory finally gives our farmers some news to celebrate," said Congressman Berry. "Although we are a long way from signing this bill into law, this is proof that people in Congress are listening to rural America and beginning to recognize the serious challenges facing farm communities."

Senator Byron Dorgan (D-ND) offered the amendment to an emergency supplemental spending bill for the war and storm recovery in the Gulf Coast. The committee accepted the amendment by a voice vote. Congressman Berry offered a similar agriculture assistance package several weeks ago when the House Appropriations Committee voted on the emergency supplemental legislation. His amendment was rejected on a party line vote of 34 to 27.

The emergency supplemental legislation will likely reach the Senate floor for a vote once Congress resumes following the Easter work period. Since the House has already approved the measure, the two chambers will have to resolve differences in the two versions in a conference committee. Rural lawmakers are determined to secure passage of the agriculture package in the Senate and work to keep the measure in the final version of the bill.

"Our farmers need to know there are a lot of rural lawmakers in Congress who are working hard to make this happen," said Congressman Berry. "We are building more and more support each day, and will not give-up without a fight."  

Farmers and ranchers across America suffered heavy crop and livestock losses from natural disasters including hurricanes, fires, floods and severe drought as well as record input costs for diesel fuel, natural gas, and fertilizer. USDA has issued disaster declarations for all counties in states like Arkansas, Texas, Illinois, Missouri, Mississippi, Ohio, and Oklahoma.