The House passage Friday of the 19.1 Billion dollar disaster aid package is the first step in helping farmers, ranchers and others hit hard by flooding and blizzards. Nebraska Farmers Union President John Hansen says the ball is now in the Senate’s court and they need to follow through with their own disaster aid legislation.

He says much of the needed disaster provisions still need funding because the Senate has been tied up with squabbling over other issues including assistance for Puerto Rico.

Hansen says the most important component of the disaster aid legislation that needs to be funded is the Emergency Conservation Program.

Hansen says the cost of the disasters Congress is being asked to fund keep rising each day and while they come quickly, their negative impacts are long term.