White House demands $21 billion for crop and livestock losses

The White House formally requested from Congress on Monday $21 billion in disaster aid for farmers who lost crops and livestock to hurricanes, drought and wildfires in the past two years.

Financing will be distributed to producers as part of a new round Emergency Assistance Program was last used for losses in 2022.

“In response to natural disasters, including Hurricanes Helene and Milton, funds will be used to cover crop production, crop quality, and orchard tree damage in addition to crop insurance claims.” The White House’s request says this.

USDA estimated 2022 crop losses would be $10 billion, but Congress provided funding for only a third of that. The USDA then angered some farm groups by pro-rated aid so that small-scale producers could absorb a larger share of their losses.

The White House request also includes $1.08 billion for USDA’s Emergency Watershed Protection program, which pays for debris removal and watershed stabilization efforts in areas hit by Hurricanes Helene and Milton.

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The Biden administration is seeking an additional $375 million for the USDA Rural Development Disaster Relief Fund and $356.5 million for the Emergency Forest Restoration Program.

The Disaster Relief Fund request also includes funding to help utilities repair damage to the electric grid and transmission lines.

The White House’s total disaster aid request, including USDA funding, is $100 billion.

“Congress has previously responded on a bipartisan basis to support communities in the wake of natural disasters – over $90 billion following Hurricane Katrina in 2005, over $50 billion following Hurricane Sandy in 2013, and $120 billion following Hurricane Harvey. including providing over $100,000 in aid for Irma and Maria in 2017,” President Joe Biden said in the request.

“Just as Congress did then, it is our sworn duty to provide the necessary resources now to ensure that everyone in communities devastated by Hurricanes Helene and Milton, and everyone trying to recover from previous disasters, has the federal resources they need and deserve.”