OFFICE OF SEN. MORAN

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) this week released a video highlighting the experiences of southwest Kansas farmers and ranchers impacted by the devastating fires in Clark County and the surrounding area on March 6, 2017.

The video features Greg and Grant Gardiner of Gardiner Angus Ranch, Ashland Veterinary Clinic Dr. John Kellenberger, and Ashland Mayor and Stockgrowers State Bank President Kendal Kay sharing their stories about the impact of the fires and the difficulties they and many others faced with federal recovery programs afterward.

“The legislation I introduced this week along with Rep. Roger Marshall is a direct result of the conversations I have had with Kansas farmers and ranchers who have suffered not only through the Clark County fires, but also through the Anderson Creek fire and many other recent natural disasters,” said Sen. Moran. “Their stories are why we’ve developed legislation to assist with these federal programs to ease the burden for future disasters.”

The first of the four bills, S. 2050, would allow for LIP partial payment. The second, S. 2053, would double the LIP payment limit. The third, S. 2054, would create an ECP fencing option to allow for upfront payments. The fourth bill, S. 2049, would raise the ECP payment limit. More information about each of the bills can be found here.

In March, Sen. Moran met with USDA then-Acting Secretary Michael Young to request urgent FSA payments through the LIP and ECP programs, among others, and inquire about program payment limits legal entity definition. He continues to urge USDA to use its existing authority to administer ECP with maximum flexibility, specifically in regard to NRCS fencing specifications. He also addressed the impact of the Clark County fires in a speech on the Senate floor.