Georgia Farmers Still Waiting on Congress and Administration

(WASHINGTON, DC) American farmers and ranchers have weathered several major disasters over the past two years including wildfires, a volcanic eruption, two Category 4 hurricanes, an earthquake, tornadoes, major snowstorms, and flooding. While the direct financial estimates of the damage are still being evaluated, the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) says it is possible to assess the economic contribution agriculture provides in these regions. The total economic contribution of agriculture in congressional districts where major natural disasters occurred is estimated at $83.8 billion and encompasses 419,000 direct agriculture-related jobs. To assist in the rebuilding efforts, lawmakers are considering a relief package of $3 billion, similar to one Congress passed for farmers impacted by wildfires and hurricanes in 2017. Though the House has passed a bill, it has failed in the Senate. Georgia Rep. Austin Scott (GA-R), speaking on the House floor this week, urged the White House and Congress to put partisan politics aside and support the farmers they seem to have abandoned.