Isakson, Perdue continue push for agricultural disaster relief
This week’s initial agreement to fund the government does not include supplemental disaster funding
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From Staff Reports
WASHINGTON — U.S. Sens. Johnny Isakson and David Perdue were among a group of senators to write to House and Senate leadership on Wednesday urging immediate action on a supplemental disaster relief package to provide critical aid for victims of natural disasters in Georgia and across the country.
Supplemental disaster funding was supported by 98 U.S. senators, including Isakson and Perdue, in funding proposals voted on earlier this year, but this week’s initial agreement to fund the government after Friday does not include this funding.
In a letter to congressional leaders, Isakson and Perdue joined with a bipartisan group of senators representing states recovering from recent hurricane and wildfire damage to urge an immediate vote on disaster recovery funding for states working to rebuild, writing, “We insist you bring a disaster supplemental bill to the floor for consideration at the earliest opportunity to ensure that the federal government fulfills its responsibility.”
The letter also expresses concerns that, if a supplemental disaster relief package is not passed by Congress, “state and local governments will not have the necessary resources needed to address critical issues, including defense capabilities, agriculture, infrastructure, and economic development that are crucial to our constituents and businesses in hard hit areas.”
As part of an effort to ensure Georgia farmers and others recovering in the wake of Hurricane Michael receive federal aid, Isakson and Perdue have twice introduced a $3 billion agriculture disaster relief amendment to bills under consideration before the Senate in the 116th Congress.
The offices of the two senators said both Perdue and Isakson plan to continue raising this issue in the Senate until Congress approves disaster funding.
The letter sent Wednesday was led by Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., and in addition to Isakson and Perdue, signed by Sens. Richard Burr, R-N.C.; Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif.; Lindsey Graham, R-S.C.; Doug Jones, D-Ala.; Lisa Murkowski, R-Ark.; Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii; Rick Scott, R-Fla; Tim Scott, R-S.C.; Dan Sullivan, R-Ark., and Thom Tillis, R-N.C.
On Nov. 30, Perdue and Isakson sent two letters requesting additional funding for disaster assistance for Georgians recovering after Hurricane Michael. The first letter was sent to Senate appropriators and the second to Senate leadership.
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