ICYMI: Feenstra Secures Additional Derecho Disaster Relief

WASHINGTON -- On Wednesday, the House Agriculture Committee held their markup on the $1.9 trillion stimulus bill. Rep. Feenstra (IA-04) proposed several amendments, including one to provide relief for producers who were impacted by natural disasters in 2020. It would include damage from storms with high winds, like the derecho that impacted approximately 43 percent of cropland in Iowa last August.

The House Agriculture Committee voted 24 to 23 to adopt Feenstra’s amendment, paving the way for Iowa ag producers to receive additional relief. Many producers were already grappling with market disruptions due to the COVID-19 pandemic when the derecho struck, so securing this disaster relief is a big win for Iowa farmers.

“I promised to deliver results and fight for Iowa farmers, main street businesses, and working families, and that’s exactly what I’m doing,” said Rep. Feenstra. “My amendment will provide much-needed relief for our producers that were affected by last summer’s derecho. I look forward to working with my colleagues on the House Agriculture Committee moving forward to deliver more results for our agriculture community.”

Background:

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrationestimated damages from the derecho to be $7.5 billion, which is a larger cost than nine of last year’s 10 hurricanes and tropical storms that made landfall. It was the most costly severe thunderstorm in U.S. history. Maximum winds were estimated to be 140 mph, with the highest wind gust recorded in Atkins, Iowa at 126 mph. These wind gusts are the equivalent of what would be expected in an EF3 tornado or major hurricane. 

Read Rep. Feenstra’s amendment by clicking here.

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