Joco Today

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D., has taken proactive steps to address agricultural losses in 2023 by leading a letter to the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration. Senator Marshall urged leadership to include funding for a disaster program in the Fiscal Year 2025 funding bill. Alongside this effort, Senator Marshall introduced legislation aimed at ensuring proper guardrails on the funding to address concerns with the USDA’s emergency relief payment program.

The American Farm Bureau Federation estimated that agricultural losses in 2023 exceeded $21 billion, with a significant portion not covered by existing programs. National Sorghum Producers Chairman Craig Meeker expressed strong support for Senator Marshall's initiatives, stating, "The National Sorghum Producers strongly supports Senator Marshall’s legislation and letter to create an Emergency Relief Program for 2023 losses."

Meeker further emphasized the importance of Senator Marshall's request in ensuring that relief reaches the farm and ranch families most impacted by production losses. He commended Senator Marshall for his dedication and urged Congress to pass the legislation promptly.

In the letter addressed to Chair Heinrich and Ranking Member Hoeven, Senator Marshall highlighted the urgency of providing assistance to farmers and ranchers affected by natural disasters. The letter stressed the need for equitable and timely disaster payments to mitigate the impact of severe losses on agricultural communities nationwide.

With a focus on improving upon previous emergency relief programs, Senator Marshall's legislation aims to prevent unfair implementation that could deprive full-time farm families of much-needed relief. The attached legislative text seeks to establish appropriate guardrails to ensure that the program effectively supports those most affected by agricultural disasters.

In conclusion, Senator Roger Marshall's efforts to address agricultural losses and introduce legislation for disaster relief have garnered support from key stakeholders in the farming community. The proposed measures aim to alleviate the financial burden on farmers, ranchers, and producers impacted by natural disasters, signaling a crucial step towards providing much-needed assistance to those in need.