Florida’s 3rd Congressional District, represented by Rep. Kat Cammack, suffered significant damage to its agricultural industry as a result of Hurricane Helene. Cammack described the destruction as being “like a bomb went off,” with widespread damage inland as well as to the aquaculture industry on the coast. Hurricane Milton also hit Florida, but Helene caused more damage to Cammack’s district. She praised Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis for his leadership during the crisis, but criticized the lack of federal assistance from agencies like the USDA. Cammack claimed that USDA has been “nonexistent” in terms of providing help to agricultural producers in the aftermath of the hurricanes.
In response to Cammack’s criticisms, a USDA spokesperson issued a statement denying her claims and stating that the agency has been working in coordination with FEMA to provide assistance to farmers impacted by the hurricanes. The USDA spokesperson highlighted various programs and resources available to farmers for recovery and emphasized the agency’s commitment to supporting rural communities affected by the disasters. The spokesperson also addressed accusations of misinformation and urged Cammack to direct her concerns to Congress, as they have the power to authorize additional assistance programs.
Cammack fired back at the USDA, stating that despite farmers repeatedly requesting assistance from the agency, they have received little to no support in navigating the disaster recovery programs. She criticized the USDA for failing to send additional personnel to disaster areas and offering inadequate virtual support to farmers in need. Cammack cited feedback from over 200 farmers and ranchers who had not received any assistance from the USDA post-storm, highlighting the agency’s lack of response to the needs of those affected by the hurricanes. She accused the administration of dismissing legitimate concerns from citizens and prioritizing public image over addressing issues facing constituents.
As a first-term Representative seeking re-election, Cammack remains committed to advocating for her constituents and holding federal agencies accountable for addressing their needs. She emphasized the importance of pushing the federal bureaucracy to support those affected by natural disasters like Hurricane Helene and Milton, despite facing pushback or delay in responses from agencies like the USDA. Cammack underscored the role of elected officials in bringing the concerns of their constituents directly to the government and ensuring that federal agencies prioritize reacting and responding to the needs of those they serve.
