Senators' bipartisan legislation would improve and expedite aid to producers

Statement

U.S. Sens. John Thune (R-S.D.) and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), members of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, today reintroduced the Livestock Disaster Assistance Improvement Act, bipartisan legislation that would improve the effectiveness and timeliness of multiple U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) programs that assist farmers and ranchers in the aftermath of adverse weather events. The legislation would also provide USDA with direction to help improve the accuracy of the U.S. Drought Monitor (USDM), which triggers certain disaster programs.

"These common-sense updates to disaster programs would help provide greater and expedited assistance to farmers and ranchers when they need it the most," said Thune. "South Dakota farmers and ranchers are all too familiar with working through difficult weather conditions, especially drought. I'm proud to lead this bipartisan proposal that would make the Drought Monitor a more effective tool and help ensure USDA programs are using accurate and consistent data in administering programs that are designed to help the agriculture community."

"Drought, wildfires, and extreme weather continue to impact the ability of New Mexico farmers and ranchers to raise livestock, maintain crops, and support our communities," said Luján. "As a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, I'm proud to reintroduce this bipartisan legislation to better meet the needs of our farmers and ranchers when disasters strike. USDA programs must be more responsive and effective for New Mexicans in need of immediate relief."

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