Agriculture Included in Hurricane Funding Request

Josh McGill hurricane

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U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio addressed citrus growers at a hurricane recovery meeting in Zolfo Springs, Florida. (Photo courtesy of Senator Rubio’s office)

U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida released details of his request for a $33 billion major disaster supplemental spending measure.

Rubio’s Hurricane Ian emergency supplemental appropriations requests include $2.955 billion for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The USDA funding includes $2 billion for the Wildfires and Hurricanes Indemnity Program to cover agricultural costs from loss of crops, trees, bushes and vines. It also includes funding for Emergency Watershed Protection, the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children, and other USDA programs.

Rubio wrote to each of the federal agency heads requesting disaster assessment needs. Since Hurricane Ian made landfall, the senator has visited officials, first responders and survivors in Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Lee, Hardee, Seminole and Volusia counties.

“The strength and resilience of Floridians are inspiring, but we have a long recovery ahead,” Rubio said. “Given the scale and scope of the disaster — by some measures, the fifth strongest hurricane to ever hit the United States — the federal government has an important role to play in facilitating Florida’s recovery. I plan to make sure our state receives the emergency relief it needs to fully rebuild.”

Rubio attended Florida Citrus Mutual’s hurricane recovery meeting/crop estimate luncheon on Oct. 12 at Putnam Ranch to discuss post-Hurricane Ian assistance to growers. He toured groves, met with industry leaders and delivered remarks. U.S. Representatives Scott Franklin (R-FL) and Kat Cammack (R-FL) also attended the event.

“We’ll make sure, just like we did after Irma, that any spending bill will have sufficient support for the people in Florida’s agricultural and rural communities, many who have lost everything,” Rubio said.

Source: U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio

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