America's Foresters Are in Need of Help

Floor Speech

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Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to advocate for America's foresters, who are in desperate need of our help. Under our current tax code, forest owners do not receive tax relief from the loss of their timber crops.

We are in the heart of hurricane season, and countless foresters are left wondering if the next storm will be the one that shuts down their family farm for good. This is unacceptable.

My bill, the Disaster Reforestation Act, offers a simple fix to an issue that has harmed American foresters for far too long. Under the Disaster Reforestation Act, foresters will be able to deduct the true value of timber destroyed by natural disasters from their taxes. This would help provide immediate relief for landowners affected by wildfires, hurricanes, or other disasters.

This bill will save family forestry in America, and I urge my colleagues to cosponsor this bipartisan, bicameral piece of legislation. I urge its immediate passage.

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