With Florida’s agricultural industry rebuilding after two hurricanes, Florida US Senator Rick Scott (R) wants quicker action from the President Joe Biden, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture to assist in relief via block grants.
Below is a copy of Sen. Scott’s message to Pres. Biden.
“Dear President Biden:
I am writing to express my strong support for distributing disaster relief funds for agricultural losses due to natural disasters in the form of block grants, if requested by the state. I have been advocating for this proposal since Hurricane Ian caused significant damage to Florida’s agricultural industry in 2022.
I appreciated our conversation on October 3rd when I shared this request with you and United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Vilsack, and our subsequent conversations on October 10th and 13th when we discussed this urgent matter. Just yesterday, I spoke with farmers and ranchers in Florida who have suffered substantial losses from hurricanes in previous years, including the recent impacts of Hurricanes Helene and Milton. They overwhelmingly support the need for relief in the form of block grants to expedite recovery efforts.
Given the immense need, I respectfully ask that the Office of Management and Budget work quickly to determine the costs of recovering from Hurricanes Helene and Milton, and immediately submit a supplemental appropriations request to Congress that includes this necessary USDA block grant flexibility.
Thank you for your attention to this important matter.”
Senator Scott spoke to President Biden and USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack about the importance of USDA block grants during their meeting after Hurricane Helene in Keaton Beach on October 3. He stressed the importance of block grants again in his call with President Biden on October 10 and in his meeting with the president in St. Pete Beach on October 13.
