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The latest on the Key Bridge collapse, New York puts forth legislation to get clean energy projects on the grid and Wisconsin and other states join a federal summer food program to help feed kids across the country.

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Republicans float conspiracy theories on the collapse of Baltimore's Key Bridge, South Carolina's congressional elections will use a map ruled unconstitutional, and the Senate schedules an impeachment trial for Homeland Secretary Mayorkas.

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Historic wildfires could create housing and health issues for rural Texans, a Kentucky program helps prison parolees start a new life, and descendants of Nicodemus, Kansas celebrate the Black settlers who journeyed across the 1870s plains seeking self-governance.

Farm Bill Cooking Up in Congress as MT Roasts

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Monday, July 16, 2007   

It's kind of crispy out there, with many Montana farmers watching fields wither in temperatures not usually expected until next month. It's just the kind of unforeseen weather disaster that could ruin crop profits leaving farmers to wait up to two years for help from Congress.

But help could come sooner under the next farm bill. The U.S. House is getting down to the details this week, and a permanent disaster fund is part of the plan. Montana Farmers Union President Alan Merrill says he's optimistic.

“I think both the House and the Senate are leaning towards a disaster relief fund. They already have the records, so it's very easy.”

Merrill notes that the Farm Service Agency keeps statistics on crop damage that could be used to determine payments from a permanent disaster fund. Right now, farmers and ranchers have to wait for Congress to fund each round of disasters.

National Farmers Union President Tom Buis says the farm bill is a complicated piece of legislation that covers agriculture, nutrition, conservation, and rural economic development. He adds that it's a tricky juggling act this time because federal money for domestic spending is tight.

“As everyone knows, they're trying to write a farm bill with far less money than we had five years ago, in order to protect the safety net of farmers.”

The U.S. House starts work on the farm bill Tuesday.



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