Sen. Rubio, Colleagues Urge Agricultural Disaster Relief Before Christmas, Propose Bipartisan Framework
In November, Rubio criticized the administration's most recent disaster supplemental request, arguing that it did not include sufficient, targeted resources for
The letter was also signed by
The full text of the letter is below:
The 2017 hurricane season was the most costly and damaging on record. As
We strongly believe that the emergency supplemental must, at minimum, address serious backlogs and eliminate red tape under current emergency programs, provide immediate targeted assistance where there are holes in the farm safety net, and repair the farm safety net where necessary so we do not find ourselves in the same position as we are today when the next natural disaster strikes.
Specifically, we urge the supplemental to address the backlogs in key emergency recovery programs, including the
In addition, we urge the supplemental to include immediate, targeted assistance needed to address holes in the farm safety net, particularly for underserved commodities with low participation and coverage levels under crop insurance and for commodities without an effective safety net. This is not a criticism of crop insurance, which we support. Rather it is a recognition that there is still work to be done under crop insurance to maximize participation and coverage levels for farm and ranch families of all commodities.
Finally, to avoid finding ourselves in this position again in the future, we urge that the supplemental direct the
As you know, while agriculture may have a lower profile in our states relative to other sectors, it remains a quiet giant in driving our economies, creating jobs, and feeding America and much of the world. Our states have a strong, proud, and diverse agriculture tradition and we lead the nation in the production of many important commodities that most of us take for granted every day, including oranges, cotton, tomatoes, cattle and other livestock, a host of fruits and vegetables, dairy, greenhouse plants, sugarcane, and other row crops. A supplemental crafted to help our states recover from historic hurricane damage would be insufficient if it fails to address the needs of our farm and ranch families. Each of these needs is pressing. Many farm and ranch families are trying to secure financing right now and many should be planting within a month's time. For these families, waiting longer for help is not an option.
We have spent considerable time assessing the staggering losses that have been incurred and listening to farm and ranch families tell us what exactly they need to get back on their feet. We are offering carefully thought out solutions in a direct response to needs on the ground, and we are doing so in a fiscally responsible manner.
We look forward to working with you to address these critical needs before
Sincerely,
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