Lawmakers press for agricultural disaster relief funds in wake of Helene

A bipartisan group of lawmakers from Southern states are calling on congressional leaders to pass federal agricultural disaster assistance, in the wake of Hurricane Helene and other recent natural disasters.

In a letter dated Monday, 34 lawmakers called on party leaders to work with state officials and the Biden administration to help agricultural sectors, as farmers continue “to suffer catastrophic losses” as a result of the strong winds and rainfall.

“To prevent deep and lasting economic damage to the agricultural industry in the southeastern United States, it is imperative that Congress make appropriations as soon as possible upon the completion of damage assessments to fully fund unmet agricultural disaster relief needs in our states and across the nation,” according to the letter, which was led by two Georgia lawmakers: Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff and Republican Rep. Austin Scott.

“Additionally, farmers and growers nationwide, not only those damaged by Helene, have now faced multiple growing seasons without sufficient federal support,” they continued in the letter. “Our constituents are counting on us to act swiftly.”

Hurricane Helene made landfall on Thursday in Florida as a Category 4 hurricane. Florida, Georgia and North Carolina bore the brunt of the storm’s impact, but its high winds and rainfall brought devastation all along its path, as much as 500 miles north of the Gulf Coast.

The Biden administration has said there are roughly 600 people unaccounted for across several states because of the storm, and The Associated Press reported that the death toll surpassed 130 people.

President Biden said Monday he expects to ask Congress for a supplemental bill to fund Hurricane Helene relief efforts but said he didn’t have a price tag for it yet, adding, “This is a historic storm. It’s devastating.”

Biden suggested members might have to return from their lengthy election recess to pass the bill, saying when asked, “That is something I may have to request, but no decisions are made yet.”

Congress last week passed a continuing resolution (CR) to extend government funding at current levels until Dec. 20, but the measure excluded additional funding for Federal Emergency Management Agency disaster relief programs.

Some lawmakers have expressed frustration at the process by which Congress has relied on CRs to keep the government open, noting there are new needs that go unmet as a result.

“One of the dangerous things with the CRs … is that it’s not just enough to keep the government going. You’re not meeting the needs of where the country and your communities currently are at,” Rep. Kat Cammack (R-Fla.) said Monday.

“So that’s why we need to actually go through the appropriations process and be thoughtful and strategic about where these dollars are going, rather than just a blank check and a rubber stamp,” she continued. “That’s missing complete swaths of people and needs that are out there.”

The Hill has contacted the four congressional leaders for a response.