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Democrats in the House are now calling on Speaker Mike Johnson to reconvene Congress to approve more disaster relief funding in light of Hurricane Milton.
What’s the deal: In a letter to Speaker Johnson, Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (D-OH), Congresswoman Dina Titus (D-NV), Congresswoman Kathy Manning (D-NC), Melanie Stansbury (D-NM), and Congressman Jared Moskowitz (D-FL) raised concerns about FEMA running out of funds, especially with Hurricane Milton to hit Florida tomorrow. They wrote, “The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) must be equipped not only to respond to current disasters but also to adequately prepare for future events. This requires substantial funding that ensures FEMA can maintain a state of readiness and provide immediate assistance when disasters strike. Additionally, the Small Business Administration disaster relief loan program must be replenished as soon as possible to help business owners rebuild their enterprises and communities.”
They continued, “The funds previously allocated were a necessary first step, allowing for an initial response to the immediate aftermath of these disasters. However, as recovery efforts continue, it is abundantly clear that these funds will not suffice. Furthermore, the frequency and intensity of these extreme weather events are a clarion call for proactive measures.”
Republicans make similar calls: In addition to the group of democrats, various republican lawmakers have called on Speaker Johnson to reconvene Congress. This includes Senator Lindsey Graham, who said, “I think $150 billion is probably going to be needed, and President (Joe) Biden sort of agreed with that. This is a disaster of monumental proportions, we need to be back in Congress in my opinion to pass a supplemental bill.”
Where Speaker Johnson stands: Speaker Johnson has noted that while Congress allocated $20 billion to FEMA for immediate disaster response before recess, he doesn’t plan to reconvene Congress until after the upcoming election. He mentioned that assessing the full extent of damages from hurricanes like Helene and Milton will take time.
