On Tuesday, July 27, the House Committee on Agriculture held a business meeting (Webcast link) to consider H.R.267, the 2020 WHIP+ Reauthorization Act.  HR 267 was amended (Amendment) to broaden the bill to cover disasters in 2020 and 2021, among other things.  H.R. 267 reauthorizes the Wildfire and Hurricane Indemnity Protection Act (“WHIP+”) and provides $8.5 billion for payments to producers for losses from hurricanes, wildfires, and other qualifying natural disasters.  The Committee favorably reported the bill as amended by voice vote.

Chairman Scott said, “I’m glad that we were able to come together in a bipartisan way to pass this bill that, once enacted, will provide the framework for getting much-needed disaster assistance to our agricultural producers.”