Sens. Cruz, Cornyn Urge USDA to Issue Disaster Designation for Texas Counties Impacted by Hurricane Hanna

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sens. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and John Cornyn (R-Texas) yesterday sent a letter to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Sonny Perdue urging the department to issue a disaster designation for counties in Texas that have demonstrated significant production loss as a result of Hurricane Hanna.

In the letter, they wrote:

“As you know, Governor Abbott has already issued a state disaster proclamation on July 25, 2020 for severe weather caused by Hurricane Hanna. The Governor and local officials have informed us that the losses in the Rio Grande Valley, particularly in the counties of Brooks, Cameron, Hidalgo, Jim Hogg, Kenedy, Starr, Willacy, and Zapata are of a magnitude that is beyond the response capability of the state and local government. We urge you to strongly support this request and provide any and all emergency measures afforded by the approval of a disaster designation.”

They concluded:

“We stand ready and willing to assist in any ways possible to ensure prompt evaluation of this request. Please do not hesitate to contact our offices with any questions.”

The full text of the letter can be viewed below.

August 20, 2020

Secretary Perdue:

It is our understanding that the State of Texas, through the Office of the Governor, has made a formal request for a federal disaster designation as a result of the extreme rain and severe flooding consistent with the provisions of 7 C.F.R. Part 759. As you know, Governor Abbott has already issued a state disaster proclamation on July 25, 2020 for severe weather caused by Hurricane Hanna.

The Governor and local officials have informed us that the losses in the Rio Grande Valley, particularly in the counties of Brooks, Cameron, Hidalgo, Jim Hogg, Kenedy, Starr, Willacy, and Zapata are of a magnitude that is beyond the response capability of the state and local government. We urge you to strongly support this request and provide any and all emergency measures afforded by the approval of a disaster designation.

We stand ready and willing to assist in any ways possible to ensure prompt evaluation of this request. Please do not hesitate to contact our offices with any questions.

Sincerely,

/s/ 

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