Senator Worked to Ensure Legislation Would Cover Flooding in 2019

Senator John Hoeven released the following statement after voting for disaster relief legislation that would extend eligibility for emergency funding to cover 2019 flood events, including in North Dakota. As chairman of the Senate Agriculture Appropriations Committee, Hoeven worked to ensure that the bill would cover 2019 flooding that has occurred, or will likely occur, in the state. The legislation, introduced by Senator Richard Shelby, was blocked by Senate Democrats.

“Between severe weather and the threat of flooding in the spring, North Dakotans are working to overcome some real challenges this year,” said Hoeven. “This especially impacts our agriculture producers, who are already dealing with difficulties like low commodity prices. The legislation we voted on today would have expanded eligibility for emergency funding to include this year’s flooding in the Midwest, helping our farmers, ranchers and communities recover from their losses. These priorities deserve to be addressed, and I will continue working to do just that as we consider disaster relief aid in the Senate.”