At the end of last week, as Congress gets ready to start drafting the upcoming Farm Bill, U.S. Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., visited Clewiston, and joined U.S. Rep. Scott Franklin, R-Fla., and Florida Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services Wilton Simpson for a discussion on the issues facing the Florida agricultural industry and growers across the Sunshine State.
Scott said he continues to fight for Florida’s agriculture industry in Washington through the upcoming Farm Bill and other legislation to “make sure these hardworking individuals and businesses have the support they need to thrive and keep Fresh from Florida products on tables across the nation.”
Last week, Scott introduced his Federal Disaster Responsibility Act to provide emergency relief for natural disasters, following the devastating landfall of major Category 3 Hurricane Idalia in Florida’s Big Bend.
“This bill will ensure Florida families, agricultural communities and all Americans facing hardships following natural disasters are taken care of,” Scott’s office noted.
U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., joined as a cosponsor of the bill and U.S. Rep. Kat Cammack, R-Fla., is championing the bill in the U.S. House.
“Florida’s agriculture industry is known around the world and the success of our state wouldn’t be possible without our growers and ranchers. Unfortunately, things are tough for hardworking families in our state right now as prices keep rising and natural disasters cause mass losses of crops and livestock. I know Florida’s agricultural communities have been laser focused on hurricane recovery following Hurricanes Ian and Idalia—and I’m fighting to make sure they get all the disaster relief they deserve. I’m working on several bills, like my Federal Disaster Responsibility Act, to help support our growers and ranchers and ensure our Florida agriculture industry has all the resources and help it needs to recover from the many challenges they have faced in the last several years. I’ve been fighting to support Florida’s agricultural community and will continue to do so by securing big wins for our growers and ranchers in the Farm Bill that make sure the federal government is a partner, not another layer of burdensome bureaucracy. I want to thank Commissioner Simpson for his efforts in Florida and support of my Federal Disaster Responsibility Act. We must continue working together with our local, state and federal partners to ensure all Floridians get the assistance they deserve,” Scott said.
