CNN —
President Joe Biden is asking lawmakers to replenish several critical disaster relief programs that are running out of funding in the wake of Hurricane Helen, which devastated several states along the East Coast. I’m urging you.
In a letter sent to Congressional leaders late Friday and first obtained by CNN, Biden said that while the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Department of Defense have sufficient funding to meet immediate hurricane recovery needs, He said additional funding may be needed. “They perform critical life-saving and life-sustaining missions, and will continue to do so within current funding levels,” the president wrote.
But Biden said the funds channeled through the Small Business Administration, meant to help small business owners and homeowners salvage property and equipment, “will be available in the next few weeks, much more than Congress plans.” “Funds will run out before the end of the year,” he said, sounding fresh alarm over the loan program. To come together again. ”
The SBA’s Disaster Relief Loan Program provides loans of up to $2 million to businesses and up to $500,000 to homeowners to cover the cost of property lost or destroyed through the Disaster Relief Loan Program. In the event of an extreme disaster, the Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program helps businesses maintain payroll and business continuity.
The program needs $1.6 billion to meet the needs of about 3,000 new claims per day for damage caused by Hurricane Helen, said government officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss private information. He said additional funding was needed.
In June, the White House requested $4 billion in disaster relief funds to cover costs related to the collapse of the Key Bridge in Baltimore, the continued recovery from the Maui wildfires, and the tornadoes that hit the Midwest.
That request is not included in the short-term funding agreement that extends government operations through December, and the White House has warned that low funding levels could lead to a “effective suspension” of the disaster loan program this fall. I warned you that there is.
Biden told reporters during a visit to North Carolina, Georgia and Florida this week to assess the damage that additional funding “can’t wait…People need help now.”
House Speaker Mike Johnson said in an interview with Fox News that lawmakers will fully evaluate post-Helen needs after the election. Biden agreed in the letter that a comprehensive disaster relief package is needed when Congress reconvenes on Nov. 12, but action on individual programs may be needed before then. He said that there is a sex.
“It is important that Congress ensures that critical disaster programs, such as the SBA Disaster Loan Program, do not become underfunded during Congressional recesses,” he wrote.
Parliament will be recessed in October as members campaign in their local constituencies ahead of the election. Some lawmakers, including Republican Sens. Rick Scott of Florida and Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, have called for Congress to return if necessary, but there are currently no plans to reconvene Congress. There isn’t.
After Hurricane Katrina devastated Louisiana in 2005, Congress cut short its summer recess and several lawmakers returned to the floor to preside over the first $10.5 billion in aid, which was challenged in both chambers. It was passed without any issues. Absent opposition, such a move would be possible even if many member states are far from Washington. In the Senate, a single member can prevent Congress from moving forward quickly.
