Amber Phillips
Updated on: October 16, 2024 11:53 pm GMT
In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, President Joe Biden is calling on Congress to act quickly to secure vital disaster relief funding. As communities along the Eastern seaboard face daunting recovery efforts, the urgency of this situation grows. In a letter to congressional leaders, Biden pointed out that while federal emergency agencies currently have funds to manage immediate needs, the long-term funding situation is precarious.
Critical Funding at Risk
Biden’s letter, addressed to leaders in Congress, highlights a pressing concern: crucial funding through the Small Business Administration (SBA) for disaster relief loans is about to run dry. This program, which can lend up to $2 million to businesses and $500,000 to homeowners, is essential for those affected by the hurricane.
Key points from Biden’s letter include:
- The SBA’s disaster relief loan program is receiving about 3,000 new applications per day.
- An additional $1.6 billion is required to handle these applications, as current funding levels cannot meet the demand.
- The program is expected to run out of funding within weeks, before Congress reconvenes.
Biden emphasized the need for swift action, stating, “People need help now.”
Additional Support Needed
While the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Department of Defense can currently manage with their existing funds, Biden warned that they too may soon require more financial backing. His concern stretches beyond just immediate needs; the broader implications of funding cuts could severely impact recovery efforts.
Over the past months, the White House sought $4 billion in disaster relief funds, primarily to address damages from recent calamities, including the collapse of the Key Bridge in Baltimore and wildfires in Maui. Unfortunately, this request was excluded from a temporary funding deal aimed at keeping the government operational until December.
Congressional Recess Complicates Aid Efforts
There is added urgency to Biden’s warnings because Congress is currently on recess until November 12. During this time, lawmakers are focused on campaign activities across their districts, leading to a delay in addressing immediate disaster funding needs.
Some lawmakers, including Senators Rick Scott of Florida and Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, have called for Congress to reconvene sooner to deal with the needs arising from Hurricane Helene. However, no plans are currently in place for an early return to Washington.
Historical Context
This situation is reminiscent of Congress’s response to Hurricane Katrina in 2005 when lawmakers cut short their summer recess to quickly approve $10.5 billion in aid. Given the current circumstances, a similar move could potentially be enacted if sufficient support emerges among lawmakers.
Yet, getting this type of emergency legislation through the Senate could be tricky. According to Senate rules, any single member can block legislation, which means that even if a consensus exists among the majority, progress may still be hindered.
Looking Ahead
As the recovery efforts ramp up across the affected states, the focus is tightening on how quickly Congress can act to secure the much-needed funding. Biden’s administration has made it clear that individual programs, especially those that assist businesses and homeowners, need attention before the scheduled return of Congress next month.
Seeing the significant challenges ahead, both the administration and affected communities can only hope for a prompt response from Washington. As clean-up and rebuilding efforts begin in earnest, the stakes have never been higher for residents facing the consequences of Hurricane Helene.
People really need help after Hurricane Helene. President Biden is urging Congress to act fast to get funding and support to those who are hurt by the storm. It’s important to make sure that help is available right away. If Congress doesn’t act quickly, many families and businesses might face serious problems as they try to recover.
