Midwestern Governors Join in Call For Federal Disaster Aid

North Dakota Gov. John Hoeven and Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, Chairman of the Midwestern Governors Association (MGA), have organized a letter signed by eight members of the MGA pressing congressional leaders to pass comprehensive drought legislation. Letters were sent to majority and minority leadership in the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate.



The letter follows a similar letter Hoeven organized earlier this month from members of the Western Governors' Association urging the federal government to provide drought relief to farmers and ranchers hit hard by drought.



"We now have more than 20 governors supporting comprehensive drought assistance for our farmers and ranchers, and we will work to get governors from the Southern and New England Associations on board for general disaster assistance, as well," Hoeven said. "Clearly, we have broad bipartisan support from a large part of the nation for this effort to help our producers in a time of real need."