Obama pledges help for drought-stricken California
Source: Reuters
(Reuters) - President Barack Obama will pledge on Friday to speed federal assistance to help California recover from a crippling drought that is threatening the critical agriculture industry in the No. 1 farm state.
On a visit to Fresno, California, Obama will promise to make available within 60 days up to $100 million in aid to help California farmers who lost livestock due to drought conditions. For livestock producers across the country, about $1 billion will be available for them.
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During his remarks there, Obama will draw a connection between what is being called the worst California drought in 100 years and global warming.
Given congressional gridlock over the issue, Obama may be building a case to impose some measures this year against climate change via executive order, part of an effort to take actions where he can with or without congressional approval.
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Obama will announce $15 million in aid to help farmers and ranchers implement water conservation practices. This includes $5 million for California and $10 million for hard-hit areas in Texas, Oklahoma, Nebraska, Colorado and New Mexico
Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/02/14/us-usa-obama-drought-idUSBREA1D0JD20140214