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Torres Small stresses urgency in disaster assistance hearing
The deputy secretary of USDA says disaster recovery is an essential role of the federal government.
During a Senate Appropriations Committee hearing Wednesday, Xochitl Torres Small said farmers and ranchers aren’t able to plan for every possible impact from natural disasters. “Those impacts might include losing your home, losing your business, and if you’re a farmer – losing the chance to pass your farm on for future generations.”
The committee hearing – which included testimony from key federal agencies including the Department of Transportation, Small Business Administration, Department of House and Urban Development, FEMA, and the Department of Agriculture – was held to highlight urgent funding needs for communities harmed by recent natural disasters, including Hurricanes Helene and Milton.
Torres Small says more urgency is needed to distribute emergency funds to impacted producers. “For USDA, that comes down to doing all we can to keep farmers farming and support people in rural communities as they rebuild. I hope we can spend some time talking about how we get resources out the door most quickly and delivered to those who most need them.”
President Biden recently asked Congress to approve a nearly $100 billion disaster relief package to help with recovery efforts from recent natural disasters.
