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Biden calls for $100 billion aid package following Hurricanes Helene and Milton

By Austin Williams
Published  November 18, 2024 7:05pm EST
Hurricanes
FOX TV Digital Team

Biden speaks about federal aid after Hurricane Milton

President Biden and other officials speak about federal assistance after Hurricane Milton made landfall, in the state of Florida.

WASHINGTON - President Joe Biden is urging Congress to approve nearly $100 billion in disaster relief funding to assist communities recovering from Hurricanes Helene and Milton, among other natural disasters. In a letter to House Speaker Mike Johnson, Biden emphasized the "urgent need" for these funds to support storm survivors, rebuild infrastructure, and prevent future disasters.

Biden wrote, "Just as the Congress acted after Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Sandy, it is our sworn duty now to deliver the necessary resources to ensure that everyone in communities reeling from Hurricanes Helene and Milton have the Federal resources they need and deserve."

The funding request comes as lawmakers meet during a lame-duck session ahead of the new Congress and the incoming Trump administration.

What is included in Biden’s $100 billion request?

The largest portion of the funding — $40 billion — would replenish the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s disaster relief fund, which assists with debris removal, rebuilding infrastructure, and providing direct financial aid to survivors. FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell warned that without additional funding, the agency could face a shortfall, delaying recovery efforts for both new and prior disasters.

Additional allocations in Biden’s request include:

  • $24 billion for farmers who suffered crop and livestock losses.
  • $12 billion in HUD-administered block grants for community recovery.
  • $8 billion for repairing and rebuilding highways and bridges.
  • $4 billion for long-term water system upgrades to mitigate future disaster damage.
  • $2 billion for the Small Business Administration’s low-interest loan program, which has run out of funds.

Congressional response and potential debate

House Speaker Mike Johnson, whose home state of Louisiana faced significant damage from Hurricane Helene, said Congress would act to assist affected communities. However, with many Republicans campaigning on reducing federal spending, Biden’s proposal may face pushback.

"This will be the appropriate amount that the federal government should do," Johnson said, signaling potential scrutiny of the $100 billion request.

The request also arrives amid controversy surrounding FEMA. A FEMA employee was recently fired for instructing workers not to visit homes displaying yard signs supporting Donald Trump’s presidential campaign — a move Criswell called a violation of the agency’s core values.

What’s next for the funding?

The Senate Appropriations Committee will hold a hearing Wednesday to review the request, with leaders from FEMA, HUD, and other agencies expected to testify. Lawmakers may consider attaching the disaster aid to a broader government spending bill ahead of a Dec. 20 funding deadline.

As Biden pointed out, Congress previously approved $90 billion in aid after Hurricane Katrina and $50 billion after Hurricane Sandy, setting precedents for large-scale disaster relief packages. "Immediate action" is required, Biden stressed, to meet the needs of communities still struggling to recover.

The Source

This article includes information from the Associated Press and statements from FEMA and the White House.