Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) on Tuesday stated Congress has already licensed the catastrophe reduction funds wanted for the fast response to Helene, the storm that has ravaged a number of states from Florida up by means of western North Carolina and Tennessee.
Talking on the New York Inventory Change earlier than delivering remarks on his financial agenda, Johnson famous a replenishment of the Federal Emergency Administration Company’s (FEMA) catastrophe reduction fund was included in a three-month stopgap authorities funding invoice that Congress handed, and that President Biden signed into legislation, final week.
“Congress has previously provided the funds it [FEMA] needs to respond, so we will make sure that those resources are appropriately allocated,” Johnson stated.
Johnson’s feedback come a day after President Biden stated that he could request that Congress return from recess to cross a supplemental reduction invoice, saying his “expectation” is to ask for more cash to fund Helene reduction efforts.
“That is something I may have to request, but no decisions are made yet,” Biden stated Monday when requested if he would ask Congress to return to cross the invoice.
Lawmakers departed Washington final week after passing the stopgap authorities funding invoice and should not scheduled to return till after the November election.
Johnson neither dominated out nor promised authorizing supplemental reduction funds for the Helene response when Congress returns within the lame-duck session.
Johnson in his Tuesday remarks stated that his dwelling state, Louisiana, is “no stranger to hurricanes.”
“One of this magnitude leaves a real mark. We’ve seen how flood waters can devastate communities. And in Helene’s aftermath, entire streets and whole cities have been ripped apart by a storm surge. In Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, the Carolinas and beyond, you’ve got hundreds of roads that remain closed, even right now,” Johnson stated.
Greater than 120 individuals have died because of the storm, and lots of of 1000’s of individuals stay with out energy.
“I received updates on the latest recovery and rescue efforts, and we’ll be working with our members, with FEMA, with state and local emergency management, to help address the many needs that are out there. This is going to go on for some time,” Johnson stated.
Biden is just not the one one floating a return to session to handle catastrophe reduction.
Rep. Jared Moskowitz (D-Fla.) stated Monday that he stands “ready to return to Washington to immediately ensure FEMA has the resources” to handle Helene’s impression. And on Tuesday, he proposed a invoice to allocate $10 billion to FEMA and $5 billion to the Division of Housing and City Improvement to fund Helene reduction efforts.
Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.) co-sponsored that laws, additionally including in a press release: “I am ready and willing to return to Washington and ensure our communities receive the critical resources necessary for a rapid recovery. Americans are counting on us, and we must take immediate action to address their life-saving needs.”
Regardless of the devastation, Johnson pointed to the great a catastrophe like Helene brings out in People.
“Amid the uncertainty and confusion that these tragedies bring, one thing is certain: In the aftermath of disasters like this, we really do see the best of America. We see communities come together. We see friends and neighbors help one another. Businesses that are operating find a way to provide food and shelter,” Johnson stated. “Restoration goes to take all people working collectively, however I am assured that we’ll rebuild.”
