Disaster Package Asks $24 Billion for Agriculture

One fourth of the $99 billion in disaster aid requested by President Biden would be funneled through the USDA, with the bulk of the $24 billion devoted to offsetting lost crop production and reduced quality of crops. Agriculture deputy secretary Xochitl Torres Small was to testify in support of the request before the Senate Appropriations Committee on Wednesday.

Passage of disaster assistance was a top priority for Congress following Hurricanes Helene and Milton this summer. The White House asked for $99 billion on Monday for a wide range of departments and agencies.

“From rebuilding homes and reopening critical infrastructure, such as schools and roads — to supporting the nation’s farmers and ranchers and ensuring access to healthcare services — impacted communities await your response,” said Biden in a letter to House Speaker Mike Johnson. “There can be no delay.”

At the USDA, $21 billion would be poured into the Emergency Relief Program for natural disasters including the hurricanes, drought, and wildfires, said the administration. Nearly $1.1 billion would go to the Emergency Watershed Protection Program for removal of debris and watershed stabilization. An additional $617 million would be put into the Emergency Conservation Program to rehabilitate farmland and pastureland damaged by the hurricanes.