U.S. Congressman McIntyre voted for and the House of Representatives approved a bill to provide disaster relief to farmers and ranchers affected by the unprecedented drought impacting the nation.

Furthermore, McIntyre stressed that the short-term relief disaster package underscores the need to pass a long-term Farm Bill so that farmers can survive when disasters hit, and he reiterated his call for a vote on this critical bill.

Congressman McIntyre stated, “Rural America needs the long-term certainty that can only be provided by the Farm Bill that the House Agriculture Committee approved on a strong bipartisan basis. I voted for this short-term disaster package recognizing this measure may serve as a bridge to the needed long-term solution. It is important the Leadership of the House understand the challenges that our farmers and rural citizens will be in if they do not allow the House to vote on the 2012 Farm Bill. Our farmers and farming communities need a vote, and they need it now!”

McIntyre continued, “The need for a farmers’ safety net could not be clearer than it is today. Our thoughts and prayers are with the farmers and ranchers that are experiencing hardship from the drought impacting many parts of the country.”

The Agricultural Disaster Assistance Act of 2012 (H.R. 6233) agreed to by the House would extend the disaster programs that expired at the end of last year to cover the current crop year. Specifically, the bill would reauthorize the Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP), the Livestock Forage Program (LFP), the Emergency Livestock Assistance Program (ELAP) and the Tree Assistance Program (TAP) for the current year to assist producers demonstrating significant losses from disaster. The additional spending from the disaster package is paid for by imposing caps on two conservation programs.