WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today secured millions in funding in the year-end appropriations bill to help cover losses associated with the historic October flooding in South Carolina. The funds could be used for unmet housing needs and to help the state’s agricultural industry which suffered tremendous losses.

“While the flood rains have stopped, the devastation still cripples and haunts many South Carolinians,” said Graham, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee. “Families whose homes were devastated by the flood will now have an opportunity to seek housing assistance and remediation for their homes. To our farming community, I strongly support the ability of farmers to access disaster relief funds for non-covered losses. I believe farmers are critical to the sovereignty and security of our Nation. They should at a minimum have the same access to relief funds as any other small business or homeowner.”

Graham noted South Carolina farmers would be eligible for funds secured for the Emergency Watershed Protection Program, the Emergency Forestry Restoration Program, and the Emergency Conservation Program.

“Finally, South Carolina Ag Commissioner Hugh Weathers, the Clemson Extension Service, and the newly elected South Carolina Farm Bureau President, Harry Ott, have been an invaluable source of support,” said Graham. “I will continue to work hand-in-glove with them to find a solution for our farmers. Without their efforts and those of individual South Carolina farmers, we would not have even seen modest success in securing recovery funds.”

“I truly appreciate my Senate colleague Tim Scott and House Colleagues Jim Clyburn and Tom Rice for their passion and leadership, and also the Senate Appropriations Committee for hearing our concerns and answering our calls for assistance,” concluded Graham.

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