Congressman Davis Continues Push for Drought Relief December 6, 2007

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- This week, it was announced that House and Senate Democrats are drafting an end-of-year spending package to fund critical programs within the government. The spending bill will include a number of provisions, and could possibly include funding to provide relief for drought-stricken states in the Southeast.

In response to news of this legislation, Congressman Lincoln Davis has drafted a letter to Chairman Obey and Ranking Member Lewis of the Appropriations Committee asking that they include a disaster assistance package in the year-end omnibus spending package.

"Farmers in Tennessee and across the Southeast have been struggling against this terrible drought without much help from the federal government for far too long," said Congressman Davis. "This spending bill is a real chance to send some dollars back to the fields and farms in their time of need, and I will continue to fight to see that this gets done."

Congressman Davis recently brought to Tennessee the Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee to draw national attention to the devastating effects the drought and the freeze have had on our nurseries and farms. Chairman Collin Peterson agreed with Congressman Davis that immediate assistance is needed for Tennessee farmers. In addition, Congressman Davis has signed or drafted seven letters this year already to the President, House Leadership, Committee Chairmen Obey and Peterson, and others calling for increased attention to the drought and support for those affected.

Congressman Davis is the Tennessee delegation’s only member of the House Committee on Agriculture.