The Senate Finance Committee wants control of a disaster fund of up to $5 billion that would be included in the new U.S. farm law, Sen. Charles Grassley said on Wednesday.
Disaster funding is a major issue in farm law negotiations between the House and Senate Agriculture committees. Leaders of the panels have suggested $2.2 billion for a stand-by aid program for farmers and ranchers.
Grassley, an Iowa Republican who serves on the Finance and Agriculture committees, told reporters that "nothing that I've heard would be acceptable" on farm-bill allocations. He said lawmakers were beginning to recognize the Finance chairman Max Baucus, Montana Democrat, wanted his committee to control the disaster fund.
"I think they're awakening to that reality," Grassley said during a telephone news conference.
Sen. Kent Conrad, who also serves on Finance and Agriculture, said in a statement the disaster fund should be a priority and that $2.2 billion would be insufficient.