Newhouse Reintroduces Bill to Provide Wildfire Relief to Washington Producers
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA) joined Reps. Mike Thompson (D-CA), Peter DeFazio (D-OR), Barbara Lee (D-CA), and Jimmy Panetta (D-CA) to reintroduce the WHIP+ Reauthorization Act.
This bipartisan bill introduced by Members from West Coast states hit hard by wildfires reactivates the Wildfire and Hurricane Indemnity Program Plus (WHIP+) for 2020 natural disasters, including wildfires. WHIP+ offers critical assistance to agricultural producers, including winegrape growers, whose crops were impacted by smoke taint.
"Winegrape growers in Central Washington are all too familiar with the damage that wildfires and smoke can have on the industry each year," said Rep. Newhouse. "WHIP+ is a necessary resource for many producers as they continue to recover from last year's devastating wildfires in our region. I am pleased to reintroduce this legislation and encourage my colleagues to support this important program that will provide much-needed assistance to Central Washington's high-quality wine industry for years to come."
On November 19, 2020, the lawmakers introduced the 2020 WHIP+ Authorization Act. The legislation expired at the end of the 116th Congress.
Background:
Reps. Newhouse and Thompson co-chair the Congressional Wine Caucus, a bipartisan organization of 117 Members from across the United States that advocate for the wine community from grape to glass. In September 2020, wine industry officials sent a letter to the U.S. House of Representatives outlining the effects of wildfires on the West Coast wine community and urging Congress to reauthorize WHIP+ for 2020.
The Additional Supplemental Appropriations for Disaster Relief Act of 2019 authorized the Wildfire and Hurricane Indemnity Program Plus (WHIP+) to help agricultural producers affected by natural disasters in 2018 and 2019. WHIP+ covers losses of crops, trees, bushes, and vines that occurred as a result of hurricanes, wildfires, and other qualifying natural disasters. Click here to learn more about WHIP+.
In Washington State, there are more than 1,000 wineries and over 300 winegrape growers. With 16 unique AVAs across the state, Washington's wine industry continues to grow and produce high-quality varieties that are enjoyed all over the world. In addition, Washington State University is one of the country's leading viticulture research institutions and one of only 14 universities in the United States to offer a Viticulture & Enology degree.