WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, Senator Rick Scott led a bicameral letter to Tom Vilsack, Secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), supporting Florida’s request for the USDA to declare a disaster for Florida counties impacted by Hurricane Idalia and make assistance available immediately. Senator Scott is requesting aid in the form of state block grants under the Farm Service Agency and other USDA programs to support Florida’s farmers and agricultural producers as they recover from the destructive impacts of the storm. Senator Scott was joined by Senator Marco Rubio and Representatives María Salazar, Scott Franklin, Kat Cammack, Gus Bilirakis, Daniel Webster, John Rutherford, Cory Mills, Michael Waltz, Neal Dunn, Greg Steube, Aaron Bean, Vern Buchanan, Mario Díaz-Balart, Byron Donalds, Bill Posey, Laurel Lee, Jared Moskowitz, and Carlos Giménez.

Earlier this month, following the devastating landfall of major Category 3 Hurricane Idalia, Senator Rick Scott introduced his Federal Disaster Responsibility Act to provide emergency relief for natural disasters, deliver support to America’s growers and ranchers and authorize tax cuts for disaster losses.

Read the full letter HERE or below.

Dear Secretary Vilsack:

            We write in support of the State of Florida’s request for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to issue a Disaster Declaration for Florida’s counties that were impacted by Hurricane Idalia, and urge you to make assistance available immediately in the form of state block grants to support Florida’s farmers and agricultural producers as they recover from the destructive impacts of the storm. 

            Florida’s growers have a unique and vital role in the American food economy because Florida is one of the only locations in the United States where major agricultural production can occur in the winter and spring months. As such, Florida’s agricultural industry feeds more than 100 million Americans who live along the eastern seaboard, when they otherwise do not have access to domestically grown fresh food. To support the growers and producers who were affected by Hurricane Idalia, and to ensure that they can recover from losses and continue their important service of feeding America, the expeditious approval of a Disaster Declaration is necessary to have a successful winter and spring harvest season. 

            Your support for the State of Florida’s request would make a meaningful impact for our growers and will assist in their recovery to ensure they can continue to contribute to our food security and national security. 

            Thank you for your prompt consideration of this request.

Sincerely, 

MORE HERE… See below for additional actions Senator Rick Scott has taken in preparation for and response to Hurricane Idalia:

• WHAT THEY ARE SAYING… Sen. Rick Scott’s Disaster Relief Bill Garners Support From Florida’s Sheriffs, Counties & Leaders
• IN CASE YOU MISSED IT… Sen. Rick Scott in the Palm Beach Post: Replenish FEMA but don’t tie that to Ukraine Aid
• PHOTO RELEASE: Sen. Rick Scott Discusses His Fight to Support Florida Agriculture in Clewiston
• IN CASE YOU MISSED IT… Florida Agriculture Commissioner Announces Support for Sen. Rick Scott’s Federal Disaster Responsibility Act
• Sen. Rick Scott: Senate Must Pass Disaster Relief Legislation TODAY
• Sen. Rick Scott to Leader Schumer: Senate Must Immediately Vote on Disaster Funding Separate from Ukraine Aid
• PHOTO RELEASE Sen. Rick Scott in Meeting with President Biden: Put Floridians & Americans First – Support Passage of Federal Disaster Responsibility Act NOW
• VIDEO/PHOTO RELEASE Sen. Rick Scott, Rep. Kat Cammack Tour Impacts of Major Hurricane Idalia in Levy County
• Sen. Rick Scott Demands Immediate Senate Vote on Disaster Relief Package

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