WASHINGTON, D.C. - Representative John W. Mannion (NY-22) today secured a personal commitment from U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins to move New York's disaster declaration request forward without delay following severe April frost damage that devastated fruit growers across Central New York, the Mohawk Valley, and Upstate New York.

During the hearing, Representative Mannion pressed Secretary Rollins for an update on Governor Kathy Hochul's request for a federal disaster designation, which would help make emergency USDA assistance available to impacted growers. Representative Mannion highlighted more than $30 million in estimated crop losses affecting New York apple, grape, and specialty crop producers.

Representative John W. Mannion said, "Our apple, grape, and specialty crop producers are facing serious losses following severe frost in April, and I'm pleased to secure a personal commitment from Secretary Rollins on their behalf that USDA is moving New York's disaster declaration forward with urgency. I will hold the Department to that commitment, and I'll keep working with USDA, Governor Hochul, and local partners to make sure relief reaches the farms and families that need it."

Secretary Rollins confirmed that USDA received Governor Hochul's request on May 19 and said New York is among the states USDA is reviewing "with the utmost speed possible." Rollins told Mannion he had her "personal commitment" that she is checking the status every day and asked him to flag any concerns directly to her.

New York is the nation's second-largest apple producer, and the state's grape growers support thousands of jobs on farms, in tasting rooms, and in packaging facilities. The April frost damage comes after multiple years of weather-related losses for many growers, placing additional pressure on family farms and agricultural businesses already facing high input costs, labor shortages, and profitability concerns.

Representative Mannion also used the hearing to address rural housing affordability and the impact of proposed changes to USDA rural development and home loan programs. Representative Mannion warned that cuts and administrative changes could restrict access to rural homeownership at a time when families in Central New York and the Mohawk Valley are already facing higher housing costs, higher interest rates, and fewer affordable homes.

Secretary Rollins acknowledged Mannion's concern is "real" for states like New York and committed to continuing the dialogue on how the changes may affect rural communities.

Representative Mannion continued, "Families in Central New York and the Mohawk Valley need access to affordable homes, and rural communities need the housing supply to support farms, small businesses, schools, and local economies. I'll continue working across the aisle to protect rural homeownership and make sure federal policy works for the communities I represent."

# # #