As Republicans and Democrats negotiate over the proposed funding bill that would stave off another government shutdown on Friday, Georgia’s senators are making sure that farmers in their home state get the aid they direly need.
After a preliminary version of the funding bill lacked relief aid for states impacted by natural disasters over the past year – in Georgia notably the arrival of Hurricane Michael that decimated crop yields – U.S. Senators Johnny Isakson (R-GA) and David Perdue (R-GA) on Wednesday penned a letter to House and Senate leadership urging an immediate supplemental disaster relief package.
Georgia’s senators linked up with like-minded colleagues from across the nation to send the bipartisan message that aid must not be overlooked following a year that has seen devastating hurricanes, wildfires, and earthquakes. Hurricane Michael caused more than $2.5 billion in losses to Georgia’s agricultural industry alone.
In November Isakson and Perdue introduced a $3 billion aid package in the Senate, with Perdue saying “We cannot wait around for Congress to complete this year’s government funding. Federal disaster relief should be considered immediately. In October, President Trump and Vice President Pence both saw the devastation firsthand and promised to help Georgia and other states rebuild. Now, Congress has the opportunity to help them keep that promise. I will continue to fight for disaster relief until our farmers and rural communities have the resources they need to get back on their feet.”
Promising then to keep bringing up the issue until it is resolved, two and a half months later Georgia’s senators are once more demanding much needed disaster assistance.
Others signing the letter were U.S. Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL), Richard Burr (R-N.C.), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Doug Jones (D-AL), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Rick Scott (R-FL), Tim Scott (R-S.C.), Dan Sullivan (R-AK), and Thom Tillis (R-N.C.).
See the full letter HERE
