After a natural disaster strikes, every day counts. Nebraska’s farmers and ranchers know this well. This spring and summer, Nebraska has been hit by some of the worst wildfires in state history. More than 800,000 acres burned, destroying pastureland, fences, and other farm and ranch infrastructure.
For many families, the damage was overwhelming, and recovery could take months or even years. That’s why I’ve been working to speed up federal disaster assistance for producers who are trying to rebuild.
This week, the U.S. House of Representatives passed my Emergency Conservation Program Improvement Act. The Senate approved the bill earlier this year, and it now goes to the president for his signature. Put simply, my bill’s goal is to help farmers and ranchers get disaster assistance faster.
Current federal programs are supposed to help producers recover from wildfires and other natural disasters, but too frequently the process is slow and burdened by paperwork. Many producers have had to wait months for approval before starting repairs, often unsure whether federal assistance will come.
To address this, my bill allows eligible producers to receive advance payments based on estimates from the U.S. Department of Agriculture so they can start rebuilding sooner. That means repairing fences, restoring grazing land, and getting damaged property back into use without unnecessary delays. My legislation also expands wildfire eligibility rules so more producers affected by wildfire-related disasters can qualify for assistance.
These changes reflect input from farmers and ranchers who have dealt with past disasters. They told us that delays in federal assistance can make recovery even harder. Timing matters in the ag industry. Every delay can mean higher costs, lost grazing opportunities, and disruptions to normal operations. When disaster strikes, farmers and ranchers shouldn’t have to wait months to begin rebuilding.
Nebraska’s agricultural producers play a vital role in feeding and powering our nation. Helping them recover quickly after natural disasters is an investment in the future of our rural communities and the rest of our nation. And while no government program can erase the damage caused by wildfires, floods, tornadoes, or drought, my bill implements meaningful changes to make recovery easier.
Still, recovery is ultimately powered by the hard work of Nebraska producers. I am constantly impressed by their resilience and resolve. And I will continue to advocate on their behalf.
Thank you for participating in the democratic process. I look forward to visiting with you again next week.
