Editorial: Congress must pass disaster relief bill

Published 12:00 pm Thursday, April 25, 2019

There are multiple complex issues that are facing our nation — complicated, difficult issues that demand weeks and months of weighted debate in Congress.

The decision to help Georgia farmers who are still recovering from Hurricane Michael is not a complicated decision — or at least it shouldn’t be.

It has been six months since Michael hit southwest Georgia as a Category 3 storm, causing around $2.5 billion in damages to the state’s agricultural industry.

It should be an easy decision for members of Congress: Approve relief funds for farmers that need it and take a quick victory lap touting a bipartisan accomplishment.

But, never afraid to complicate an uncomplicated situation, the Senate failed to pass a disaster relief bill earlier this month that would have delivered about $13.5 billion in aid to several states, including Georgia.

Disaster aid talks reportedly stalled after Republicans balked at the Democrats’ insistence for more relief aid for Puerto Rico.

We agree with Georgia senators Johnny Isakson and David Perdue, who in a joint press release earlier this month, decried the decision.

“It is a shame that politics has again gotten in the way of aid for the people of our states who are in desperate need and for farmers who put food on our tables,” Isakson said. He noted “This is a disaster bill, and it’s not about politics, it’s about getting all Americans the help they need.”

We agree with Congressman Austin Scott, who while touring South Georgia last week spoke about his disappointment with both sides of the political fence, according to reporting from the Valdosta Daily Times.

“I blame it on both,” Scott said.

Scott said the Republican side of the aisle failed to provide a formal request for disaster assistance, while the Democrats have used Puerto Rico as an excuse not to provide disaster relief for the areas that need it.

We agree with Georgia Governor Brian Kemp and Agricultural Commissioner Gary Black, who in a press conference earlier this month urged Congress to resume disaster aid talks.

Black said 100 farmers or more may have to sit this year out, their futures uncertain.

Kemp called the congressional inaction a “low point” for the country and added that passing a relief bill was the “simplest, easiest thing” for Congress to do.

We elect our representatives to make hard decisions. The decision of whether or not to help our farmers — literally the people who put food on the table — isn’t a hard decision. It’s simple. It’s easy.

The Senate is on a two-week break, set to end Apr. 26.

When they return, disaster relief should be at the top of the agenda — and it should pass.