HEARTLAND FLOODING: V.P. says it's time to 'put politics aside' in getting flood relief to the heartland

Vice President Mike Pence said it's time to "put politics aside" and get relief dollars flowing in the wake of the flood waters. Pence made the comments on a visit to Pacific Junction Friday morning.

The Vice President arrived in the metro late Thursday night.

Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts was among those on hand for the Vice President’s arrival.

Pence, who toured flood-damaged areas of Nebraska on March 19, visited flood-ravaged Pacific Junction, Iowa, Firday - a town hit hard by the high water fury.

This stop included a visit to Lincoln’s Ridgeview Farms in Pacific Junction.

He told those on hand that the federal government is behind the recovery to rebuild Iowa, "bigger and better than ever before."

He said it's remarkable to think that a month has gone by when you see how much water is still here.

Pence said it's frustrating that relief dollars are caught up in political debate. He said it's time "to set politics aside" and get the money approved in congress.

Sen. Chuck Grassley, Sen. Joni Ernst and Gov. Kim Reynolds joined Pence on the tour. All were aboard the helicopter for a look at southwest Iowa awash.

Reynolds echoed the concern that money needs to be freed-up. She said, "It's crucial and critical that we get this done in a timely manner."

Dennis Lincoln's family has been on their farm for 110 years. That farm served as the backdrop to the Vice President's stop.

Lincoln said, "It's important that they understand in Washington what our plight is out here." He said aside from the damage that's already been done, "Our year is very doubtful."

Lincoln said "We have no protection from the river," and the problems reach well beyond his property.

"It's not only on this farm but it's county-wide, uh, businesses, uh, won't be able to operate, farmers won't be able to, we won't be able to put in a crop and so it's the livelihood of everybody in the county. It's economically devastating."