Frustration Over Continued Delay in Disaster Aid Package

The White House and Congress are still trying to come to an agreement on disaster aid months after hurricanes and wildfires hit the country hard in many areas. Politico said one Georgia Republican is fed up. Representative Austin Scott said the White House is undercutting its pledge to farmers. Scott said the White House Office of Management and Budget hasn’t sent Congress a formal disaster request to supplement federal emergency aid that’s already been authorized. When the House passed a disaster aid package, the OMB issued a statement of administration policy opposing funds for crop and livestock losses. The agency argued that existing USDA programs like crop insurance were enough to cover the damage.

“When things are handed off to the people at the Office of Management and Budget,” Austin said, “they consider the American farm family nothing but subsidy-sucking freeloaders.” That means there’s a “disconnect” between what’s coming from the administration and what the administration is telling farmers they’re going to do. Several issues continue to hold up disaster talks, including Trump’s opposition to Democrats demand for more money for Puerto Rico. It also includes a push by Senate Appropriations Chair Richard Shelby for more money to work on harbor maintenance.

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