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Senators say agricultural disaster relief is needed now

A bipartisan group of U.S. Senators and Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue are urging Congress to take immediate action on disaster relief for farmers hurt by last year’s hurricanes and wildfires.

In a letter, senators urged leaders to bring a supplemental bill to the floor for consideration as soon as possible. If not, they write, state and local governments won’t have the necessary resources to address these issues.

The compromise spending deal to avoid another federal government shutdown doesn’t include agricultural disaster assistance.

The senators who signed the letter include Marco Rubio of Florida, Johnny Isakson and David Perdue of Georgia, Richard Burr of North Carolina, Dianne Feinstein of California, Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, Doug Jones of Alabama, Lisa Murkowski of Arkansas, Brian Schatz of Hawaii, Rick Scott of Florida, Tim Scott of South Carolina, Dan Sullivan of Arkansas, and Thom Tillis of North Carolina.