Disaster Relief Sought

The Biden Administration is seeking $100 billion in disaster relief. Hurricanes Helene and Milton dominated the discussion in a three-hour Senate Appropriations Committee hearing, However, North Dakota Senator John Hoeven said drought is also having its impact. “Forty-eight states reported drought this year and last I checked there’s only 50 states so you can see the kind of stress that our farmers are facing,” said Hoeven. “Our farmers and ranchers are up against it.” In addition to the money, Hoeven said USDA needs to make sure the disaster programs are structured correctly. “We’re losing farms at a high rate and the farms we’re going to lose as a result of these disasters and the drought and everything else are the ones that are on the edge. Those are the ones that get hit the hardest.”