Cole Votes in Favor of Agricultural Disaster Relief
U.S. Congressman Tom Cole (OK-4) last night voted in favor of the House agricultural disaster assistance supplemental bill. This legislation would allow people and organizations in Oklahoma who have experienced losses due to weather related disasters to apply for disaster relief assistance.
"Oklahomans have experienced numerous losses due to the recent wild fires, floods and tornadoes that have struck many portions of our state," Congressman Cole said. "This bill will open the door for those people who have been greatly affected by these natural disasters to seek assistance from the federal government."
The disaster relief bill will provide agriculture assistance to producers who experienced crop losses in 2005, 2006 or 2007 due to bad weather. The bill also provides compensation for livestock losses in 2005, 2006 and 2007, due to a disaster, including losses due to hurricanes, floods, anthrax, wildfires and blizzards in Oklahoma and other states. In addition, the bill provides a combined $400 million for the Bureau of Land Management and the U.S. Forest Service for "urgent wildland fire suppression activities."
The bill comes just days after Oklahoma Governor Brad Henry declared a State of Emergency for all 77 Oklahoma counties in the wake of tornadoes, torrential rains and flooding that have impacted much of Oklahoma in recent weeks.