House Democrats call for immediate FEMA funding for hurricane response

A group of U.S. House Democrats, including five from Florida, have called on House Speaker Mike Johnson to “immediately” reconvene the body to provide additional funding to respond to natural disasters like hurricanes Helene and Milton.

The group wants to bolster the Federal Emergency Management Agency and Small Business Administration, which provide disaster assistance.

“As representatives of the American people, it is our duty to ensure that every community has the resources to recover and rebuild in the wake of devastation,” the representatives wrote. “This is not merely a matter of policy but a profound obligation to the citizens we serve, who depend on their government for support in their most critical times of need.”

Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said last week that FEMA does not have enough money to last though hurricane season, and this week again indicated more funding is needed.

Representatives from Florida who signed the letter include Democratic U.S. Reps. Jared Moskowitz, Frederica Wilson, Sheila Cherfilus McCormick, Maxwell Frost, and Darren Soto. Moskowitz served as the state’s director of the Division of Emergency Management during Gov. Ron DeSantis’s first term before entering the U.S. House.

FEMA Director Deanne Criswell said Tuesday that the agency anticipates needing additional funding “in the December, January time frame.”

Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, a Republican, posted to X Thursday, calling on Johnson to call a special session.

In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, last week in Steinhatchee Johnson said he anticipates that a supplemental funding request will likely pass when Congress returns from recess after the election.

Sen. Rick Scott said Thursday he is “100% committed” to making sure businesses can be funded for recovery.

   Thursday afternoon, President Joe Biden said SBA funding is “pretty right at the edge right now,” and called for Congress to come back “immediately.”

“This is going to be a long haul for total rebuilding, it’s going to take several billion dollars,” Biden said. “It’s not going to be a matter of just a little bit.”

Florida Phoenix is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Florida Phoenix maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Diane Rado for questions: info@floridaphoenix.com. Follow Florida Phoenix on Facebook and Twitter.

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This article appears in Oct 9-15, 2024.