America's 1988 drought captured attention everywhere, but especially in Washington where politicians pushed through the largest disaster relief measure in U.S. history. The Associated Press went back to track where the $3.9 billion went and found the money spread far beyond the drought.
The record $3.9 billion drought relief program of 1988 became an unexpected election-year windfall for thousands of farmers who collected millions of dollars for nature's normal quirks. An Associated Press study found the relief bill paid cash to farmers far beyond original intent to save farmers from bankruptcy. The program broadened at each step, adding hail, flood, heat, insect, wind, and fungus damage. None of the conditions should have been ruled eligible. Loose regulations and lax enforcement were the major reasons for Government generosity. Also, it was noted that politicians were trying to be recognized in an election year as friends of agriculture.