In a letter sent to Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack, the Washington Congressional Republican delegation has asked that FSA state executive Directors be hired as soon as possible. The letter says a lack of state executives has led to a backlog, sometimes months long, at the FSA when it comes to disaster relief application, resulting in farmers not getting the assistance they need after wildfire smoke and record heat this year.

The letter said, in part, "we have heard from our constituents that the creeks have gone dry and that cattle and crops have been lost." The lawmakers added getting timely assistance out to ranchers and farmers could mean the difference for many operations between being able to stay open or closing for good.

The letter was signed by Cathy McMorris Rodgers, Jaime Herrera Beutler and Dan Newhouse. Click Here to read the entire letter sent to Ag Secretary Vilsack.

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