Carter leads letter calling on Senators Ossoff, Warnock to release Hurricane Helene assistance for farmers

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Rep. Earl L. "Buddy" Carter (R-GA) this week sent a letter to Senators Jon Ossoff (D-GA) and Raphael Warnock (D-GA) calling on them to release $531 million in Hurricane Helene relief funding for Georgia farmers by voting to reopen the government.

Because of the Schumer Shutdown, funding for the Hurricane Helene Block Grant Program is currently frozen, harming Georgia farmers who suffered significant economic losses and damages due to the storm.

In the letter, Carter writes, "This funding is essential to support hardworking

Georgians as they recover from the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene, one of the most destructive storms in our state's history, which caused at least $5.5 billion in agricultural and timber damage. However, the $531,000,000 is unavailable because of your vote to shut down the government."

Carter continues: "From disrupting much-needed economic and disaster relief payments to hindering state block grant negotiations, the shutdown is inflicting severe consequences on Georgian farmers and producers… It is time to stop punishing Georgia's farmers and foresters to score political wins. Our job is to support all Georgians in every way possible. Passing a clean continuing resolution is the obvious answer to ensure this long-awaited block grant is delivered to our farmers."

Joining Carter in signing this letter is Rep. Andrew Clyde (R-GA).

Read the full letter here.

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