U.S. Rep. Martha Roby (R-AL), along with federal and state agricultural department heads, on Nov. 16 assured her home-state farmers that the United States government would help them recover and rebuild from the devastation wrought by last month’s Hurricane Michael.
Rep. Roby visited the McAllister family farm in Gordon, Ala., with U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Sonny Perdue as part of the secretary’s three-stop tour last week that also included visits to Bristol, Fla., and Donaldsonville, Ga., to view the impact on agriculture following the onslaught of Hurricane Michael.
Rep. Roby and Secretary Perdue, who also were accompanied by Alabama Agriculture and Industries Commissioner John McMillan, who is set to become Alabama State Treasurer, participated in a roundtable discussion with local farmers in the Second District to discuss emergency hurricane relief, crop insurance and trade policy, among several issues.
Perdue praised the congresswoman for meeting with him, noting that she was the only lawmaker to do so during his three stops in three different states. According to Alabama’s Yellowhammer News, Perdue said, “This is the way representative democracy works. The election is over, but Martha Roby is here. I’m not saying anything about anybody. I’m going to be in three states today, and this is the only member of the House that I’m meeting with.”
Rep. Roby thanked Secretary Perdue for making the trip to Alabama and said she was committed to helping farmers in her state rebuild.
“Secretary Perdue is a friend to Alabama, and I am deeply grateful that he made this visit happen and participated in this important dialogue with Alabama farmers,” said the congresswoman. “He understands that our state’s farmers need help in the recovery and rebuilding efforts ahead.”
The lawmaker added that she will work alongside the USDA Secretary and her colleagues in Congress to guarantee that resources and assistance get to farmers.
“My job is to be on the front line fighting for Alabama, and we’re making the push to get this done quickly and correctly,” said Rep. Roby.