The potential for a special vote in Congress to allocate additional funds for disaster relief has been uncertain since Hurricane Helene struck in late September.
During a visit to Asheville, North Carolina, former President Donald Trump expressed support for Congress reconvening early to pass more relief for Hurricane Helene victims. He highlighted concerns about the allocation of funds by FEMA, alleging that money was being used for undocumented immigrants, a claim denied by the Biden administration and FEMA.
The question of Congress supplementing FEMA’s disaster relief has been under consideration since Hurricane Helene’s impact. President Joe Biden mentioned the possibility of calling for a special session but has not made a decision yet. Hurricane Milton’s subsequent strike in Florida further strained FEMA’s funding capacity.
FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell stated that while there were enough funds for immediate response to Helene and Milton, funding for the rest of the year was insufficient. DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas confirmed FEMA’s ability to address immediate needs post-disasters.
Calls for a special session have emerged from both sides of the political spectrum, with bipartisan proposals for additional funding. Speaker Mike Johnson emphasized the administration’s current funding ability for disaster response.
Congress is currently in recess until November 12, with ongoing discussions on the need for supplemental relief funding. Trump commended the efforts of private citizens in responding to Hurricane Helene’s aftermath during his visit to Asheville.
The article was contributed to by Chase Smith and Jack Phillips. Please rewrite this sentence.
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