Georgia Farmers Near Deadline While Trump Lobbies Senators

(WASHINGTON, DC) A group of Senators, led by Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Richard Shelby (AL-R), met with President Trump last week to discuss a disaster aid package. The aid is intended to support farmers and ranchers in Georgia who were affected by Hurricane Michael, as well as other in ag affected by other storms and natural disasters. The President urged the group to negotiate an agreement with Senate Democrats who have blocked the passage of disaster legislation, for failure to include an additional half-billion dollars in Food Stamp funding for Puerto Rico. House and Senate Democrats, meanwhile, are reportedly preparing to offer new disaster relief legislation after the Easter recess. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue renewed his calls for passage of disaster relief during testimony in front of a Senate Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee last week. Staff negotiations are expected to continue over the break. Rep. Austin Scott (GA-R) has called out both the Administration and Congress for failing to live up to the promises made to farmers six months ago. He warns that without immediate financial help, many farmers in his district will be forced out of business as lenders have no assurance of disaster relief.