Senate Passes Farm Bill That Includes Sen. Kennedy's Extension Of National Flood Insurance Program And Protects Louisiana Farmers

Statement

The U.S. Senate passed a Senate Farm Bill today that contains U.S. Sen. John Kennedy's (R-La.) amendment to prevent the National Flood Insurance Program from expiring in the middle of hurricane season. H.R.2, the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, also known as the Senate Farm Bill, extends the program for six months. The Senate passed the Farm Bill on an 86-11 vote.

The bill also protects Louisiana sugar cane farmers by keeping tariff-rate quotas on imports and preventing foreign countries from flooding the market with their inferior product. The American Sugar Cane League estimates that Louisiana sugar cane production employs 17,000 people and generates 13 million tons of cane a year.

"I'm grateful that the Senate included my amendment, ensuring that the National Flood Insurance Program will continue to protect families during hurricane season. We can't abandon Louisiana families who faithfully pay their premiums every year," said Sen. Kennedy. "I also cannot emphasize enough how much this bill does for our sugar cane farmers. Generations of families have farmed sugar cane in Louisiana. That is a legacy we need to protect from foreign producers trying to flood the market."

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