U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack speaks about the drought during a press briefing at the White House in Washington July 18, 2012. Broiling heat has blanketed much of the U.S. Midwest this week, exacerbating the region's worst drought in more than 50 years and devastating corn, soy and other vital crops.
REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque (UNITED STATES - Tags: POLITICS ENVIRONMENT DISASTER AGRICULTURE)