Tillis Requests Disaster Assistance for NC Farmers Following Hurricanes Florence and Michael | Eastern NC Now

Press Release:

    WASHINGTON, D.C.     North Carolina Senator Thom Tillis is continuing his bipartisan effort to support North Carolinians recovering from Hurricanes Florence and Michael with a direct appeal to Senate leadership urging support for disaster assistance for North Carolina farmers and the state's agriculture community.

    In a letter to Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Tillis requested that Congress provide supplemental disaster funding to help with recovery from billions in agricultural losses from Hurricanes Florence and Michael. Joining Tillis were Senators Richard Burr (R-NC), Johnny Isakson (R-GA), Doug Jones (D-AL), David Perdue (R-GA), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Bill Nelson (D-FL), Marco Rubio (R-FL), and Tim Scott (R-SC), whose states were also affected by the September and October hurricanes.

    "We believe it is our duty as Members of Congress to step in and assist farmers and others who are in need," the letter states. "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."

    "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.

    Full text of the letter can be found here.

• Contact: Daniel Keylin
•     daniel_keylin@tillis.senate.gov