Rep. Bishop Calls for Senate to Vote for Communities Who Suffered From Natural Disasters

WASHINGTON, Jan. 17 -- Rep. Sanford D. Bishop Jr., D-Georgia, issued the following statement:

Yesterday, Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (D-GA-02), Chairman Designate of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies, released the following statement after voting in support of the Disaster Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2019 (H.R. 268) which was approved by a vote of 237 to 187:

"Hurricanes, wildfires, mudslides, and floods devastated regions of our country and have left communities wondering how they will recover. This bill will provide them with the tools they need to begin to repair and rebuild their farms, homes, and small businesses. This is not a red or blue issue. If we do not support these communities, we all will feel the effects as Americans.

"I urge my colleagues in the Senate to take up this legislation and send it to the President's desk so we can reopen the government and help the people of Georgia's Second District, and the other communities across the country and its territories, including Puerto Rico, the Northern Mariana Islands, and the Virgin Islands."

Congressman Bishop submitted an amendment with his Republican colleague, Rep. Austin Scott (GA-08) to increase payments for losses from 85 to 90 percent for producers with crop insurance and from 65 to 70 percent for producers without insurance and increase funding levels from $1.1 billion that was initially recommended by the USDA to $3 billion.