09/21/05 Senate takes up ag appropriations

Senator Mike Crapo says the Senate will probably follow the House lead when it comes to agriculture appropriations for the fiscal year beginning October first. CRAPO "It's probably going to be about 100.7 billion dollars and its frankly moving forward with some modifications because of adjustments for Katrina. Negotiations on Katrina amendments will be dealt with literally in the next couple of days and they're going to be primarily focused as I understand it on efforts relating to the rebuilding efforts." As the Senate works through ag appropriations this week they have to include money for USDA, for programs authorized under the Farm Bill and for research. Crapo wants to continue funding conservation programs in Idaho and across the nation. CRAPO "The CRP program and in this case the CREP that we are working with the federal government on to try to help address some of the water shortage issues in Idaho, in southern Idaho, are going to look to these ag approps bills, this one in particular for this year for their funding." The Idaho Senator says two thirds of the federal budget is already spoken for because of mandatory spending and interest on the national debt. The rest of the federal programs including Katrina recovery and war costs will come out of the 800 billion that's not spoken for today. Today's Idaho Ag News Bill Scott