Assuming the House bill passes, the Senate will face pressure to also pass the measure before week's end. There is an outside chance that it may actually wait until after Senators return from their August recess to consider the House bill or a Senate counterpart. Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR) is said to have filed on Tuesday morning a similar drought relief bill in the Senate. Earlier this month, Merkely had sponsored S. 3395, the Wildfire and Drought Relief for Ranchers and Farmers Act of 2012; however that bill called for funding the aid with funds from the Commodity Credit Corporation.
While Senate Republicans have expressed a willingness to take up the bill and approve it before next week, prior to the Republican announcement, Democrats had been divided on how to proceed if the House presented a disaster aid-only bill. Some Democrats, notably Senate Agriculture Committee Chair Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), continued yesterday to press for a full five-year Farm Bill approach. However, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) left the door open to considering a stand-alone disaster bill, saying about the House yesterday that "if they want to do something about drought relief, send that to us." .
While Senate Republicans have expressed a willingness to take up the bill and approve it before next week, prior to the Republican announcement, Democrats had been divided on how to proceed if the House presented a disaster aid-only bill. Some Democrats, notably Senate Agriculture Committee Chair Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), continued yesterday to press for a full five-year Farm Bill approach. However, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) left the door open to considering a stand-alone disaster bill, saying about the House yesterday that "if they want to do something about drought relief, send that to us." .
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