Congressman Canseco's Statement on House Passage of the Agricultural Disaster Assistance Act

Washington, D.C. - Congressman Francisco “Quico” Canseco (TX-23), a strong supporter of America's farmers and ranchers, released the following statement after the House of Representatives passed the Agricultural Disaster Assistance Act (H.R. 6233):  

 

“Our nation is in the midst of a severe, nationwide drought.  The lack of adequate rainfall has left crops burning up in the fields and livestock without water or pastures to graze on.  America's farmers and ranchers know that the business of farming and ranching is inherntly risky because of factors like the weather.  Unfortunately, the severity of this drought and the expiration of certain permanent disaster programs in the current Farm Bill a year before the expiration of the Farm Bill itself have left our nation's agricultural producers with no alternative than to seek ad hoc disaster assistance to ensure they can continue providing our nation with an abundant supply of food and fiber.”  

 

“To provide the desperately needed drought relief to our nation's farmers and ranchers, the House of Representatives passed the Agricultural Disaster Assistance Act, which retroactively reauthorizes the expired disaster provisions for an additional year, allowing them to expire when the rest of the current Farm Bill expires.  Recognizing that our nation is in a spending-driven debt crisis, this disaster relief is being provided in a fiscally-responsible manner that protects American taxpayers by offsetting the cost of this disaster assistance package by cutting lower priority spending from conservation programs at the United States Department of Agriculture.  I proudly supported this fully paid for measure that will ensure that our vital agricultural producers are provided relief from the severe drought and can continue to provide our nation with the food and fiber that we need, and I urge the Senate to pass this important measure."

 

To schedule an interview please contact Kyler Arnold at (202) 225-4511 or Kyler.Arnold@mail.house.gov