President Biden is requesting nearly $100 billion in emergency disaster aid after Hurricanes Helene and Milton, as well as other natural disasters, telling lawmakers that the money is “urgently needed.” The letter Monday to House Speaker Mike Johnson comes as lawmakers meet during a lame-duck session to finish priorities before making way for a new Congress and the incoming Trump administration, the AP reports. Biden said he has met with those harmed by the storms and heard what residents and businesses needed from the federal government. “Additional resources are critical to continue to support these communities,” the president said.
The largest share of the money, about $40 billion, would go to the main disaster relief fund at the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The fund helps with debris removal, repairing public infrastructure, and providing financial assistance to survivors. Biden said the fund would face a shortfall this budget year without an additional infusion. He said that would not only affect the agency’s ability to provide lifesaving assistance to survivors, but would also slow recovery efforts from prior disasters.
- An additional $24 billion would help farmers who have experienced crop or livestock losses, and $12 billion would go toward helping communities recover through block grants administered by the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
- Some $8 billion more would help rebuild and repair highways and bridges in more than 40 states and territories. The administration is also seeking $4 billion for long-term water system upgrades to mitigate future damage from natural disasters.
- The Small Business Administration has run out of money for a program that provides low-interest loans for businesses, nonprofits, and homeowners trying to rebuild after a disaster. Biden is seeking $2 billion for that program. Several other agencies would also receive emergency funds if Congress agrees to the full request.
- Lawmakers were expecting a hefty number from the administration. Johnson said that Congress will evaluate the request and that “we’ll make sure we deliver for the hurricane victims and the people that have suffered from that.”
- With many Republicans campaigning on reducing federal spending, there could be debate about portions of Biden’s request. The federal government doesn’t help with every disaster. It generally gets involved only if the needs exceed the ability of a community or state to handle them.
- Republicans are also outraged that a FEMA employee directed workers helping hurricane survivors not to go to homes with yard signs supporting Donald Trump’s presidential campaign. The agency’s leader, Administrator Deanne Criswell, said the employee was fired and the directive was a clear violation of the agency’s core values to help people regardless of political affiliation.
- Biden noted that Congress had provided more than $90 billion in aid after Hurricane Katrina nearly two decades ago and more than $50 billion after Hurricane Sandy in 2013. He urged Congress to take “immediate action.”
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