(WASHINGTON) – House Agriculture Committee Chairman David Scott, along with General Farm Commodities and Risk Management Subcommittee Chair Cheri Bustos, as well as House Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture Chair Sanford Bishop issued the following statement in response to the House including critical disaster relief funding in the Continuing Resolution:

Chairman David Scott continued, “I am proud of the bipartisan work the House Agriculture Committee did with H.R. 267 to write many of the important provisions that are now contained in the ag disaster section of the CR. I would also like to thank Chairman Bishop for negotiating these provisions and Rep. Bustos for their leadership role as General Farm Commodities and Risk Management Subcommittee chair. Additionally, I appreciate Representatives Axne, Craig, Costa, Panetta, Carbajal, Harder, Schrier, O’Halleran, Rush, Spanberger, Hayes, Correa, and Vela for their efforts on disaster aid. Many of these Members of the Committee are cosponsors of H.R. 267 and have all worked hard throughout this process, and I am very thankful.”

“Inclusion of these provisions is the fastest way to get this critical assistance out the door to our producers, and it will bring more producers into the crop insurance program,” Chairman David Scott added.

“The disaster relief included in this package can’t come a moment too soon. From the drought in the West Coast and Upper Plains – and now the Upper Midwest – to derechos and floods, this package will help producers whether they’re impacted by severe drought or heavy rains and winds,” said Subcommittee Chair Bustos. “It also requires any producer who receives a payment under WHIP+ to enroll in crop insurance and we know that the more acres we have enrolled in crop insurance, the less we’ll have to rely on disaster programs like this one. I’m proud to support this package to help our farmers in need as they continue to navigate historic climate change.”