Following Hurricane Milton’s catastrophic landfall, Governor Ron DeSantis has requested an Expedited Major Disaster Declaration to support Florida's response and recovery efforts. U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL), U.S. Representative Vern Buchanan (R-FL), and members...
Following Hurricane Milton’s catastrophic landfall in Florida, U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) joined the U.S. Coast Guard to survey impacted areas across the State. Photos are courtesy of Senator Rubio’s office. Senator Rubio joins the U.S. Coast Guard for a flyover...
U.S. Senator Marco Rubio’s (R-FL) office will host in-person Mobile Office Hours next week to assist constituents with federal casework issues in their respective local communities. These office hours offer constituents who do not live close to one of Senator Rubio’s...
Major Hurricane Milton is expected to make landfall in Florida, bringing with it devastating storm surge, winds, and inland flooding. The Seminole Tribe of Florida should have access to the federal resources required for emergency response and recovery preparations on...
Major Hurricane Milton is forecasted to potentially hinder or obstruct the Port of Tampa Bay, which receives more than 40 percent of Florida’s petroleum products. It’s crucial for the federal government to expedite all requested measures to protect Florida’s economy...
Major Hurricane Milton is forecasted to impact Florida with devastating storm surge, winds, and inland flooding. After just being hit by Hurricane Helene, it’s crucial for the State of Florida to have the support of the federal government. U.S. Senators Marco Rubio...
After making landfall as a Category 4 storm, Hurricane Helene caused catastrophic damage along Florida’s Gulf Coast. It’s crucial for Florida’s farmers to receive the necessary resources for recovery.
U.S. Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL), Rick Scott (R-FL), and Florida colleagues sent a letter to U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack urging immediate assistance in the form of state block grants to expedite support for Florida’s farmers and agricultural producers as they recover from the destructive impacts of the storm.
Joining Senators Rubio and Scott were U.S. Representatives Mike Waltz (R-FL), Kathy Castor (D-FL), Cory Mills (R-FL), Maxwell Frost (D-FL), Matt Gaetz (R-FL), Darren Soto (D-FL), Bill Posey (R-FL), Kat Cammack (R-FL), Neal Dunn (R-FL), Mario Díaz-Balart (R-FL), Scott Franklin (R-FL), John Rutherford (R-FL), and Greg Steube (R-FL).
The full text of the letter is below.
Dear Secretary Vilsack:
We write in support of the State of Florida’s request for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to issue a Disaster Declaration for Florida’s counties that were impacted by Hurricane Helene, and urge you to make assistance available immediately in the form of state block grants to expedite support for Florida’s farmers and agricultural producers as they recover from the destructive impacts of the storm.
Florida’s growers play a critical role in the American food economy. As one of the few states where major agricultural production can occur in the winter and spring months, Florida’s farms provide fresh, domestically grown food to over 100 million Americans along the eastern seaboard when it’s needed most. To support the growers and producers who were affected by Hurricane Helene, and to ensure that they can recover from losses and continue their important service of feeding America, the expeditious approval of a Disaster Declaration is necessary to have a successful winter and spring harvest season.
Your support for the State of Florida’s request would make a difference for our growers and will assist in their recovery to ensure they can continue to contribute to our food security and national security.
Thank you for your prompt consideration of this request.
Sincerely,