(Washington, DC) – Congressman Doug LaMalfa issued the following statement after the House Agriculture Committee unanimously passed H.R. 267, the 2020 WHIP+ Reauthorization Act. The Wildfire and Hurricane Indemnity Program Plus (WHIP+) would provide necessary supplemental assistance to help farmers across the country impacted by disasters in 2020 and 2021.
Rep. LaMalfa said, “Severe drought conditions are straining farmers and ranchers in California with many seeing major crop losses as water is cut off mid-season. Additionally, 2020 was the worst fire season on record and 2021 is unfortunately looking like it could be even worse. Wildfires and the smoke from them destroy crops including smoke tainted wine grapes for example, leaving the crop inedible. The Agriculture Committee taking up this important authorization bill will keep the momentum up to ensure that needed aid is available to our farmers across the country who have had their crops devastated.”
Congressman Doug LaMalfa is a lifelong farmer representing California’s First Congressional District, including Butte, Glenn, Lassen, Modoc, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, Shasta, Sierra, Siskiyou and Tehama Counties.