Landrieu threatens filibuster
Print
Email
Save
Reprints
Twitter
Share
Del.icio.us
Digg
Facebook
Reddit
WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu, D-La., is threatening to hold an old-fashioned filibuster today in order to get more than $1 billion in disaster relief for farmers, including those in Louisiana affected by hurricanes Ike and Gustav.
Landrieu is proposing a “farmers before financiers” measure that would dedicate $1.12 billion to agriculture disaster victims, including those hurt by Midwest floods and California wildfires.
“I plan to speak about these hardworking Americans until I hear from the leadership — the Republican leadership, the Democratic leadership and the White House — about what we can do now to get some help to farmers in the middle of the country that really need our attention,” Landrieu said in a Friday statement.
Landrieu said she will filibuster for as long as 30 hours, the allotted time for debate on the measure.
On Wednesday, the House approved a $23 billion disaster relief component to a must-pass budget bill. The legislation, however, failed to include any money for farmers or fishers. Louisiana agricultural leaders have estimated damage from the recent hurricanes to be $750 million.
Landrieu is proposing a “farmers before financiers” measure that would dedicate $1.12 billion to agriculture disaster victims, including those hurt by Midwest floods and California wildfires.
“I plan to speak about these hardworking Americans until I hear from the leadership — the Republican leadership, the Democratic leadership and the White House — about what we can do now to get some help to farmers in the middle of the country that really need our attention,” Landrieu said in a Friday statement.
Landrieu said she will filibuster for as long as 30 hours, the allotted time for debate on the measure.
On Wednesday, the House approved a $23 billion disaster relief component to a must-pass budget bill. The legislation, however, failed to include any money for farmers or fishers. Louisiana agricultural leaders have estimated damage from the recent hurricanes to be $750 million.
 | ||||
| Most Popular | Most Emailed | Hot Topics | ||
