House Speaker Mike Johnson said Hurricane Helene's devastation doesn't require immediate action by Congress to boost federal disaster relief funding because it'll take time to assess the damage.
Back-to-Back Hurricanes Set to Strain FEMA as Its Funds Run Low
www.bnnbloomberg.ca
... The cash-strapped US Federal Emergency Management Agency is set to be tested by back-to-back major disasters as Hurricane Milton barrels toward Florida's Gulf Coast less than two weeks after Helene devastated the Southeast.
"This could result in a signification strain on FEMA's resources," said Daniel Kaniewski, a former deputy administration at the US disaster response agency. "A major hurricane hitting a highly populated area would certainly be a worst case."
Even before Helene struck late last month, killing at least 227 and causing up to $250 billion in damages, FEMA was stretched thin by record-setting wildfires and other extreme weather events. Under financial strain, the agency projected a $3 billion deficit by February.
Although Congress provided FEMA with $20 billion in a temporary government spending bill lasting through Dec. 20, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas has warned that the agency doesn't have enough funding to make it through hurricane season. It still has enough to meet immediate needs, Mayorkas said. ...
Note that the It still has enough to meet immediate needs, Mayorkas said. comment was made before Milton had spun up.
Towns, Cities, County State will make assessments and submit it to the Federal government for long term help.
This is very similar to the FEMA Grants that are in the Shelter Program which fund Immigrant housing. The NGO's supply receipts and apply and they receive their money.
Ergo there's no need to call them in congress, they don't even know how large to make the funding.
Note that the It still has enough to meet immediate needs, Mayorkas said. comment was made before Milton had spun up.
This is irrelevant, he knows there is a potential for more Hurricanes, it would be silly for him to speculate like this ignoring future hurricanes.
What I don't understand is the administration has found funds for Lebanon relief ($157 Million) but little for the immediate needs of Citizens.
The vice president was condemned for announcing around $157 million in additional aid for Lebanon as millions of Americans in the Southeast U.S. who have been left devastated by Hurricane Helene require federal assistance.
www.newsweek.com
It's a bad look regardless of the accounting columns. I don't know why DeSantis is outshining Harris and Biden, its really looking bad.
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