Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2023

Floor Speech

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Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Chair, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding.

Mr. Chair, I rise to speak on the need to provide certainty to blueberry producers who have been affected by freezes.

We all know how difficult the job of being a farmer can be. So much of their success is completely dependent on things outside of their control. This is particularly true when it comes to foul weather and disasters. Farmers are at nature's mercy when it comes to these events.

This past year, a number of specialty crops across the country saw significant losses caused by freezes, particularly blueberries in my home State of Georgia. The statewide freeze event this past March resulted in losses that exceed $140 million.

The last time a similar devastating freeze occurred, Congress was able to come together and provide funding for those losses.

I thank the Appropriations' Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Subcommittee chair, Sanford Bishop, from Georgia, for all of his support already for this effort.

The underlying bill includes $10 million for disasters occurring in 2022 and report language expressing Congress' concerns about the impact of extreme weather events on blueberry producers. However, that $10 million will not be enough to assist with the damages from disasters. Chairman Bishop has committed to continue working on this issue and to ensure adequate funding is available to blueberry and other producers affected by freezes in 2022.

Mr. Chair, I hope we can continue to demonstrate Congress' commitment to not only providing relief when farmers need it the most but also fixing the larger issue for good so we no longer need to return to this after future freezes.

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