Reps. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-25), Scott Franklin (R-18), Darren Soto (D-09), and Kat Cammack (R-03) have banded together to introduce the bipartisan Restore Agricultural Investment, Stability and Expansion (RAISE) Act of 2026 to help American farmers and growers recover from natural disasters.
The Bill's Function
The bill seeks to amend the 2014 Agricultural Act by granting the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) the authority to provide emergency Supplemental Agricultural Disaster Assistance for high-value crops.
The USDA Secretary may issue block grants to farmers and growers to recover from revenue, quality, or production losses caused by natural disasters such as droughts, hurricanes, floods, or freezes.
The Agricultural Act of 2014 currently provides emergency assistance exclusively to livestock, honeybees, and farm-raised fish farmers, as well as eligible orchardists and tree growers.
The bill responds to reports that hurricanes in 2022 impacted more than 90% of Florida citrus production, 375,302 total acres. The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services expects these losses to cost the industry up to $675 million, in a sector that generates $6.8 billion and supports up to 33,000 jobs.
Congressmembers Express Pride In Bipartisan Work
“Congress needs to have the back of America’s farmers, and I’m proud to work across the aisle to make sure the crops and agricultural resources that fuel American families are protected from increasingly extreme weather threats, something our own citrus industry faces in Florida,” Rep. Wasserman Schultz said.
“The devastating freeze Florida farmers faced this past February was another reminder of how quickly a natural disaster can threaten years of hard work,” Rep. Franklin said. "I’m pleased we secured this provision in the House-passed Farm Bill and will continue working with Congresswoman Wasserman Schultz to get it across the finish line.”
“Glad to join Reps. Franklin, Wasserman Schultz, and Soto on this effort to support our Florida producers,” Rep. Cammack said. “When extreme weather threatens our crops, as is often the case in the Sunshine State, we must be prepared to help our farmers recover and continue the important work of feeding our nation.”
“In Central Florida, our farmers, ranchers, and growers have struggled after devastating hurricanes,” Rep. Soto said. “As these natural disasters get stronger, we must work to ensure that they have the resources to recover, maintain their livelihoods, and keep feeding America.”
