President Biden on Monday asked Congress to approve $100 billion in aid to help Americans affected by natural disasters, including Hurricanes Helene and Milton.
The president is asking for $40 billion to shore up the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Disaster Relief Fund, more than five times Congress gave the agency in its yearly budget process. It also comes after the feds spent $20 billion from Congress on a series of hurricanes, tornadoes, wildfires and floods.
In addition, Mr. Biden wants $24 billion for the Agriculture Department to help farmers who experienced crop or livestock loss, $12 billion for the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s block grant disaster funding, $8 billion for the Transportation Department to repair roads and bridges, $4 billion for the Environmental Protection Agency’s water system upgrades and $2 billion for the Small Business Administration disaster loan program for businesses and homeowners.
“From rebuilding homes to reopening critical infrastructure such as schools and roads — to supporting the nation’s farmers and ranchers and ensuring access to health care services — impacted communities await your response,” Mr. Biden wrote in a letter to House Speaker Mike Johnson, Louisiana Republican.
In a memo released Monday, Office of Management and Budget Director Shalanda Young warned that those federal agencies lack funds after the storms. She said several offices have reached out to Congress about “the need to replenish key disaster response programs.”
Congressional leadership must decide whether to take up the request as a standalone bill or package it with an end-of-year spending bill. Only a few weeks are left on the legislative calendar, and Republicans will assume control of both chambers next year.
In his letter, Mr. Biden noted that Congress has a history of bipartisan action in response to hurricanes and other natural disasters, including offering more than $120 billion in aid after Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria in 2017.
“Just as the Congress acted then, it is our sworn duty now to deliver the necessary resources to ensure that everyone in communities reeling from Hurricanes Helene and Milton — and those still recovering from previous disasters — have the federal resources they need and deserve,” Mr. Biden said.
The request comes as FEMA faces criticism from Republican lawmakers after an employee was fired for telling her disaster relief team to avoid homes with signs supporting Donald Trump for president while canvassing Florida in the aftermath of Hurricane Milton.
• Jeff Mordock can be reached at jmordock@washingtontimes.com.
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