cover the 2006 crop year. [Vote 271, 12/5/06; Southwest Farm Press, 12/8/06; Omaha World-Herald, 12/7/06] XXXX Voted In Favor Of Giving Disaster Assistance to Farmers. In October 2004, XXXX voted for a resolution that would express the sense of the Senate that Congress should provide emergency spending for disaster assistance to eligible agricultural producers that is not offset by subsequent cuts to the farm bill. [Vote 209, 10/9/04] XXXX Voted Against Nearly Doubling Funding for Drought Relief for Farmers to $5.9 Billion. In 2003, XXXX voted against providing $5.9 billion for drought relief, which would have roughly doubled funding for farmers affected by drought. It would also have limited drought relief to farmers who have suffered at least 35 percent crop loss. [Vote 16, 1/22/03] XXXX Voted to Focus $3.1 Billion in Drought Relief for Farmers on Those Most Adversely Affected. In 2003, XXXX voted to reapportion the $3.1 billion of drought relief already contained in the measure. It would limit drought relief to farmers in designated counties or who have at least 35 percent of crop loss. The vote was on the Cochran, R-MS. amendment to the Fiscal 2003 Omnibus Appropriations bill. [Vote 15, 1/22/03] XXXX Voted Against Relief for Crop Losses. In November 2003, XXXX voted against an amendment that have would required the Agriculture secretary to spend such sums as necessary from the Commodity Credit Corporation for emergency financial assistance to farmers that have incurred qualifying crop and livestock losses for 2001, 2002 or 2003. [Vote 440, 11/5/03] XXXX Voted For $6 Billion in Disaster Aid for Farmers. In September 2002, XXXX voted in favor of an amendment that would provide nearly $6 billion in disaster aid for farmers. Farmers would be eligible if their losses exceed 35 percent of their average crop. Farmers would receive 60 percent of the market value of any losses that exceed 35 percent. Ranchers also would be compensated for disaster losses under a similar formula. The underlying Byrd amendment would provide $825 million to replace funds that previously were taken out for emergency wildfire suppression expenses. The substitute would appropriate $19.3 billion in fiscal 2003 for the Interior Department and related agencies and programs. XXXX was one of only 16 Senators to vote against the disaster aid. [Vote 212, 9/10/02] XXXX Voted Against Adding Emergency Funds For Crop And Livestock Losses. In 2002, XXXX voted against adding $2.4 billion in Commodity Credit Corporation emergency spending, for crop and livestock losses. The American Indian Livestock Program would receive $12 million of the $500 million provided for livestock losses. The vote was on waiving section 205 of the Budget Resolution for fiscal year 2001 for the consideration of the Baucus amendment to the Daschle (for Harkin) substitute amendment to The Agriculture, Conservation, and Rural Enhancement Act of 2001 (S. 1731). The motion was agreed to, 69-30. [Vote 25, 2/12/02] XXXX Opposed Adding Emergency Funds For Ranchers And Farmers. In 2002, XXXX voted against adding $2.3 billion in fiscal year (FY) 2002 emergency agricultural spending for ranchers and farmers. Specifically, it would provide $1.8 billion for the Crop Disaster Program for losses incurred in calendar year 2001 and $500 million for the Livestock Assistance Program, $12 million of which would be earmarked for the American Indian Livestock Feed Program. The vote was on waiving section 205(b) of H.Con. Res. 290 for fiscal year 2001 for the consideration of the Baucus amendment (No. 2701) to the Daschle substitute amendment (No. 2698) to the Hope for Children Act (H.R. 622). The motion was rejected, 57-33. [Vote 2, 1/24/02] XXXX Voted For A GOP Sponsored Special Assistance Farm Bill With $5.5 Billion In Assistance Instead Of $7.5 Billion. In 2001, XXXX supported a Republican substitute proposal to decrease the emergency agriculture assistance in the bill from the Democratic proposed $7.49 billion to $5.5 billion. President Bush threatened to veto anything with a price tag of more than $5.5 billion. Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Tom Harkin, D-IA. said $5.5 billion was inadequate and that mainstream farm groups agreed the larger sum was needed. The amendment that McConnell voted against tabling would include $4.6 billion for Agricultural Market Transition Act (AMTA) payments, $129 million for tobacco farmer payments to quota holders, and $133.4 million for specialty crop grants to States based on the proportionate share of specialty crops they each produced. The vote was on a 10