Political Quotes

“Mr. Chair, I rise in support of the en bloc amendment, which includes my amendment to support Vermont's recovery from this summer's catastrophic flooding. Vermont farmers are hurting. With government funding running out on Saturday, the Republicans' Agriculture appropriations bill is too little too late. Vermont's recovery needs are urgent. My amendment urges USDA to ensure disaster assistance is deployed as quickly as possible. It has been a rough year in Vermont. Vermont producers have sustained millions and millions of dollars in damages, impacting nearly 30,000 acres of land. Vermont's farmers are essentially the heart of our communities, the fabric of our State, and I will do everything in my power to make sure they have the resources they need to make sure that they are able to recover and build back better from this horrible flooding. A government shutdown would be devastating for Vermont and other States like mine that are recovering from disasters this summer. Vermonters need Federal recovery dollars to continue to flow so that towns and households can get back on their feet. We must turn our attention to serious matters. Mr. Chair, I urge adoption of this amendment.”