Saying that “disaster assistance legislation is imperative,” Governor Tim Pawlenty today urged Congressional leaders to pass a bill aiding farmers and ranchers suffering from this summer’s severe drought.

Governor Pawlenty, Chair of the Midwestern Governors Association, led a group of eight Midwestern governors who signed a letter to U.S. Senate and U.S. House leaders sent today.

The letter urges the federal government to provide drought relief to farmers and ranchers hit hard by the drought. In addition to Pawlenty, the letter was signed by a bipartisan group of governors: Govs. John Hoeven (N.D.), Tom Vilsak (Iowa), Dave Heineman (Neb.), Mike Rounds (S.D.), Rod Blagojevich (Ill.), Kathleen Sebelius (Kan.), and Jim Doyle (Wis.).

“Crop and animal agriculture are extremely important parts of Minnesota’s strong and diverse economy,” Governor Pawlenty said. “Farmers and ranchers throughout the country have been confronted with high temperatures and little rain throughout most of the summer. There is strong bipartisan support in the heartland to assist our farmers and we encourage Congress to act quickly in this time of need.”

More than 20 governors now support comprehensive drought assistance for farmers and ranchers. Governor Pawlenty and the MGA are also working to gain the support of governors from Southern states and New England for general disaster assistance. Farmers and ranchers throughout the United States have been fighting drought and other severe weather conditions for the past two years.

“The situation is taking a terrible toll on livestock and crops,” the governors wrote in today’s letter. “We strongly encourage you to support disaster assistance for farmers and ranchers who have suffered severe losses due to these natural disasters.”