Last week, Senators Alex Padilla and Dianne Feinstein called on Senate leadership to include $616 million in emergency drought funding and agricultural assistance in the upcoming FY 2022 omnibus appropriations bill “as Western states continue to suffer from the worst megadrought in more than 1,200 years.” In the letter, the Senators highlighted the struggles of farmers, the importance of preserving water for agriculture, and the need to ensure drinking water is available for disadvantaged and tribal communities. They also urged the provision of direct relief for farmers hit hardest by slowdowns and disruptions in the supply chain.
