[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 96 (Monday, June 10, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E733-E734]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2019

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                            HON. DARREN SOTO

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, June 3, 2019

  Mr. SOTO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my support for H.R. 
2157, the Additional Supplemental Appropriations for Disaster Relief 
Act of 2019. This $19.1 billion package is essential to providing 
critical relief to communities that were devastated by the natural 
disasters in 2018 and 2019.
  Among other reasons, my support for this disaster supplemental 
package comes, in part,

[[Page E734]]

because of an understanding that the language within Title I of this 
bill grants the Secretary of Agriculture the discretion to provide 
assistance to producers who suffered timber loss due to Hurricanes 
Michael and Florence.
  Even after Hurricanes Irma and Maria, there have been over 80 major 
disaster declarations. This much-needed disaster relief will support 
our Florida Panhandle communities, help rebuild Tyndall Air Force Base, 
assist farmers and ranchers, restore coastal infrastructure, and fund 
the Nutrition Assistance Program and infrastructure repairs for Puerto 
Rico.
  I look forward to working with my colleagues in both chambers of 
Congress to bring relief to millions of families.

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