Today, the House Agriculture Committee held a markup on H.R. 267, the 2020 WHIP+ Reauthorization Act. After months of advocating for Iowa producers in need of additional assistance due to derecho-related losses, Rep. Randy Feenstra (IA-04) successfully got language included in the Wildfire and Hurricane Indemnity Program Plus (WHIP+) reauthorization bill to cover damage from high wind storms like derechos.
This comes after a Farm Bureau report estimated $147.5 million in losses from the derecho remain unaccounted for, almost one year later. The damage caused by the derecho made it the most expensive thunderstorm disaster in U.S. history.
“I am thrilled that derecho damage will now be covered in the WHIP+ reauthorization bill. Like I promised, I have not stopped fighting to secure much-needed assistance for Iowa ag producers who suffered losses from last year’s catastrophic derecho storm, which produced wind gusts comparable to a major tornado or hurricane. As the breadbasket to the world, I will continue fighting tirelessly to deliver for the hardworking men and women in our agriculture community. I look forward to working with my colleagues to ensure this critical legislation passes the House and is signed into law,” said Rep. Feenstra.
Background
Feenstra started working to secure additional derecho relief back in February -- successfully passing an amendment to the American Rescue Plan out of the House Agriculture Committee. However, due to the highly partisan nature of the reconciliation process, Democrats struck Feenstra’s amendment before it could receive a vote in the House.
Feenstra joined his colleagues in sending a letter to Agriculture and Appropriations Committee leaders in April, requesting full funding for WHIP+ to cover 2020 natural disasters.
In June, Feenstra introduced H.R. 3821, a bill to include losses due to high winds, such as derechos, in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Wildfire and Hurricane Indemnity Program Plus (WHIP+). The intent of this bill is now included in the 2020 WHIP+ Reauthorization Act, which the House Agriculture Committee passed today with bipartisan support.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) estimated damages from the August 2020 derecho to be $7.5 billion, which is more expensive than nine of last year’s 10 hurricanes and tropical storms that made landfall. The highest estimated wind gust was 140 mph -- the equivalent of a Category 4 hurricane.
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