releases: https://www.jones.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senator-jones-leads-bipartisan-call-for-additional-funds-for-hurricane-michael-recovery
Data license: MIT · Data source: dwillis/congress-press
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| https://www.jones.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senator-jones-leads-bipartisan-call-for-additional-funds-for-hurricane-michael-recovery | Senator Jones Leads Bipartisan Call for Additional Funds for Hurricane Michael Recovery | 2018-11-30 | 2018 | 2018-11 | Democrat | House | AL | Doug Jones | J000300 | www.jones.senate.gov | legacy | Birmingham, Ala. U.S. Senator Doug Jones today announced his continued efforts to support Alabamians recovering from Hurricane Michael with a direct appeal to Senate leadership urging support for disaster assistance for Alabama farmers and the state's agriculture community. Senator Jones and Senator Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.) led the letter and were joined by Senators David Perdue (R-Ga.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Bill Nelson (D-Fla.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Tim Scott (R-S.C.), Richard Burr (R-N.C.), and Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), whose states were also affected by hurricanes in September and October. In their letter to Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), the senators wrote, We believe it is our duty as Members of Congress to step in and assist farmers and others who are in need. We ask that as leaders of the United States Senate you direct this body to work with the House of Representatives to include emergency appropriations for those states affected by Hurricanes Florence and Michael in the next appropriations bill the Senate considers. Hurricane Michael caused an estimated $307 million in damages and the loss of more than 2,500 jobs in Alabama. The combined losses from Hurricanes Florence and Michael cost other states additional billions in agriculture production and job losses. Cotton was ruined during a crucial harvest period, destroying what promised to be a historically high yield. Peanuts, sweet potatoes, and a multitude of other fruits and vegetables that were not yet harvested rotted in the soil. High winds leveled acres of timber stands and pecan trees and demolished poultry, pork, and cattle barns, killing and dispersing animals and livestock, the letter continued. SenatorJoneshas continued to work with federal, state, local leaders, and residents to ensure that Alabama gets the resources it needs to fully recover from this devastating hurricane. He recently visited the Wiregrass region tolisten to localfarmersto better understand the extent of the damage their crops sustained as well as their uniquerecoveryneeds. Earlier this month, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) approved the State of Alabama's application for an agricultural disaster declaration, which SenatorJonessupported in aletterto USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue. Full text of the letter can be found here and below. November 30, 2018 The Honorable Mitch McConnell The Honorable Chuck Schumer Senate Majority Leader Senate Minority Leader 317 Russell Senate Office Building 322 Hart Senate Office Building Washington, DC 20510 Washington, DC 20510 Dear Majority Leader McConnell and Minority Leader Schumer: We are writing in support of our farmers, ranchers, producers, and communities that were devastated in the wake of multiple natural disasters in 2018. The destruction we have seen firsthand in our respective states, coupled with the poor overall condition of the farm economy, has demonstrated the clear need for Congress to provide a supplemental disaster appropriations bill immediately. Hurricanes Florence and Michael made landfall in the Southeast in September and October, respectively, leaving a historic level of destruction from Florida to Virginia. Hurricane Michael caused more than $2.5 billion in losses to Georgia's agricultural industry, nearly $1.5 billion in agricultural production losses in Florida, and an estimated $307 million in damages and the loss of more than 2,500 jobs in Alabama. Similarly, Hurricanes Florence and Michael are responsible for $1.1 billion worth of destruction to North Carolina's crops as well as $205 million in agriculture losses in South Carolina. As a result from these disasters, cotton was ruined during a crucial harvest period, destroying what promised to be a historically high yield. Peanuts, sweet potatoes, and a multitude of other fruits and vegetables that were not yet harvested rotted in the soil. High winds leveled acres of timber stands and pecan trees and demolished poultry, pork, and cattle barns, killing and dispersing animals and livestock. We believe it is our duty as Members of Congress to step in and assist farmers and others who are in need. We ask that as leaders of the United States Senate you direct this body to work with the House of Representatives to include emergency appropriations for those states affected by Hurricanes Florence and Michael in the next appropriations bill the Senate considers. Sincerely, ### | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z |