Not From the Onion: Boehner’s Office Says Obama Avoiding Personal Responsibility For Drought

[Smilo]

57. They've taken down the comment

Hey, Boehner if this was so important why didn't you release funds before you went on vacay...........

WASHINGTON — The U.S. House passed a $383 million disaster-relief bill yesterday that provides political shelter for lawmakers during the worst drought in half a century but might not release the aid for months to come.

Nearly two-thirds of the continental United States, including prime ranch and farm territory, is in the grip of drought, and lawmakers were under pressure to help livestock producers under siege from soaring feed prices.

There was additional evidence of the drought’s toll yesterday as the Mississippi River was closed to traffic at two locations after barge tows ran aground near Greenville, Ark., and La Crosse, Wis., because of low water.

Congress has been deadlocked on passing a full farm bill, but the drought portion was seen as a way to get to aid to hard-hit ranchers, although it was unclear whether the Senate will move on the legislation.

The House bill, which allows payments of up to $100,000 per farm, will help cattle and sheep ranchers but not hog and poultry farmers. Row-crop farmers have insurance, but programs for livestock expired in 2011.